Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has etched her name into the annals of athletics history, achieving an extraordinary double victory at the 2025 World Athletics Outdoor Championships held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Just days after capturing gold in the 100-meter dash and breaking the championship record, Jefferson-Wooden showcased her prowess once again by winning the Women’s 200-meter final.
With a stunning personal best and world-leading time of 21.68 seconds, Jefferson-Wooden not only secured her second gold medal of the championships but also made history as the only American woman to clinch gold in both the 100m and 200m events at a single World Championships. She joins the elite company of sprinters like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who last achieved this remarkable feat in 2013.
The silver medal in the 200-meter dash was claimed by Great Britain’s Amy Hunt, who finished in 22.14 seconds, just shy of her personal best of 22.08. This impressive performance elevated her to the status of the second fastest British woman of all time. Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, a two-time world champion and currently holding the title of the second-fastest woman in history, secured bronze with a time of 22.18 seconds.
Jefferson-Wooden’s path to glory this season has been nothing short of outstanding; she has remained undefeated in the 100-meter event and has tasted defeat only once in the 200-meter format this year. Her accolades now include three world championship titles, an Olympic gold, and an Olympic bronze, affirming her as a dominant force in sprinting. She has also claimed two national titles in the 100-meter dash.
In an emotional post-race interview, Jefferson-Wooden expressed her disbelief and elation at achieving such a monumental milestone, stating, “I’ve cried so many tears… I probably won’t stop smiling for the next 24 hours. I truly can’t overstate how much it means.”
With her sights set on further accolades, Jefferson-Wooden is gearing up for the upcoming 4×100-meter relay, with the potential to earn a third gold medal. If she succeeds, she would join the ranks of Fraser-Pryce as one of only two women in history to achieve three gold medals at a single World Championships.
The U.S. 4×100-meter relay team is expected to include three of Jefferson-Wooden’s current training partners: Sha’Carri Richardson, Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry, and herself. The only missing piece is Gabby Thomas, who opted out due to an Achilles injury. Speculations are rife about her replacement, with Kayla White emerging as a strong candidate given her compatibility with the team’s training dynamics.
As the U.S. team prepares for fierce competition from Jamaica—who will look to reclaim their dominance after last winning the title in 2019—the stakes are high. Fans eagerly await a highly anticipated showdown that promises to deliver intense drama and excitement.
For those wanting to relive the breathtaking moments of the 200-meter dash, highlights are available on the NBC Sports YouTube channel. The championships continue to unfold with the men’s 4×400-meter relay heats scheduled to start tomorrow, streaming live on Peacock and USA. Fans can stay updated on live results and the complete competition schedule via the World Athletics website.
