Team USATF’s women showcased their dominance on the second day of the World Athletics Championships held at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday night, amassing three gold medals and increasing the U.S. medal tally to six, five of which are gold.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden led the charge in the women’s 100 meters, maintaining her undefeated streak for the year. The 24-year-old electrified the audience with a remarkable meet record time of 10.61 seconds, marking her as the fourth-fastest woman in history. Jefferson-Wooden displayed her prowess in a competitive final, pulling away in the last moments to secure victory by 0.15 seconds over Jamaica’s Tina Clayton. Julien Alfred of St. Lucia claimed the bronze with a time of 10.84 seconds, while last year’s Budapest gold medalist, Sha’Carri Richardson, finished fifth in a season-best 10.94 seconds.
In the women’s discus event, Valarie Allman, already a two-time Olympic gold medalist and American record holder, achieved her long-sought World Championships gold. Allman threw 69.49 meters (227 feet, 11 inches) in her fifth round, effectively ending her medal collection with the crowning achievement of victory after previously securing bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023. Laulauga Tausaga, the defending champion from Budapest, placed sixth with a best throw of 65.49 meters (214 feet, 10 inches).
The women’s long jump featured Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, who set the tone from her first jump, flying 7.08 meters (23 feet, 2.75 inches) right out of the gate. This impressive mark proved to be the benchmark for her competitors, and by the fourth round, she improved it to a world-leading 7.13 meters (23 feet, 4.75 inches), solidifying her victory. Germany’s Malaika Mihambo managed a commendable 6.99 meters (22 feet, 11.25 inches) but fell short of challenging Davis-Woodhall.
In the men’s division, Jamaican athletes excelled in the 100 meters, with Oblique Seville claiming gold with a personal best of 9.77 seconds and compatriot Kishane Thompson taking silver with 9.82 seconds. Olympic champion Noah Lyles secured bronze in a season best of 9.89 seconds, as Kenny Bednarek finished fourth at 9.92 seconds.
Earlier in the morning, the women’s marathon unfolded in a thrilling showdown between Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir. The latter emerged triumphant, capturing her second consecutive gold with a season-best time of 2:24:43, finishing two seconds ahead of Assefa. Uruguay’s Julia Paternain rounded out the podium in bronze at 2:27:23, while American Susanna Sullivan just missed out, placing fourth in 2:28:17.
In the men’s 10,000-meter final, competitors faced oppressive conditions, with temperatures soaring into the 80s and humidity around 60%. The race intensified as it progressed, and France’s Jimmy Gressier made an impressive finish to clinch gold in 28:55.77, edging out Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, who finished in times of 28:55.83 and 28:56.02, respectively. USATF champion Nico Young came close to medaling, securing fifth at 28:56.62 as 2022 Olympic medalist Grant Fisher placed eighth with a time of 28:57.85.
In track events, American athletes moved efficiently through the heats in the women’s 1500 meters. Nikki Hiltz advanced with a controlled third-place finish in 4:07.04, while world record holder Faith Kipyegon ran a savvy first semifinal, leading her heat with a time of 4:00.34.
All three U.S. men in the 1500 meters also advanced, with Olympic champion Cole Hocker capturing his heat in a burst of speed, finishing in 3:41.88. Ethan Strand and Jonah Koech followed suit with strong finishes in their respective heats, securing positions in the semifinals.
On the hurdles front, three American women sailed through their heats in the 100 hurdles, led by Olympic champion Masai Russell, who posted the fastest time at 12.53 seconds.
In the men’s 400 meters, a quartet of American quarter-milers advanced, including breakout star Jacory Patterson, who set the fastest time in the first round at 43.90 seconds. Fellow athletes Chris Bailey, Khaleb McRae, and team captain Vernon Norwood also progressed, showing strength in a competitive field.
The women’s hammer throw saw American record holder DeAnna Price qualify comfortably with a toss of 74.99 meters (246 feet). However, fellow competitors Rachel Richeson and Brooke Andersen struggled, with Andersen failing to advance due to three fouls.
The day closed with a strong representation from Team USATF, underscoring their status as formidable contenders in the championships. Currently, the U.S. medal tally stands at six overall, with five golds and one bronze. Notable records set included the mixed 4×400 relay’s time of 3:08.80 and the women’s 100-meter meet record of 10.61 seconds by Jefferson-Wooden.
