Tokyo (AFP) – Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became only the second woman to win a world sprint treble after leading the United States to 4×100 metres relay gold on Sunday, with Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce taking silver in her final race. Jefferson-Wooden matched Fraser-Pryce’s achievement from the 2013 world championships in Moscow by adding to the 100m and 200m titles that she bagged in Tokyo. She led off the race in driving rain before handing off to her team-mate Twanisha Terry, followed by Kayla White running the bend and Sha’Carri Richardson taking the baton across the line in a time of 41.75 seconds.
“I did what I wanted to do individually and then came back together with my girls, my training partners, and we were all able to walk away with the gold medal, so I’m really happy about that,” said Jefferson-Wooden. Jamaica finished second in 41.79 seconds, followed by Germany in 41.87 seconds. Fraser-Pryce was competing in her final race before bringing the curtain down on an incredible 17-year career. She entered the race with three Olympic gold medals and 10 world titles, totaling 25 Olympic and world medals to her name.
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She made sure to sign off with one more medal, leading off a Jamaican team that also included sisters Tia Clayton and Tina Clayton, as well as Jonielle Smith. “I started it tonight and to be able to hand over to our young upcoming superstars and queens is truly fantastic,” said the 38-year-old. “To be able to give them the opportunity to go for gold, because ultimately that’s what I wanted to do.” However, Fraser-Pryce was unable to secure one last gold.
Jefferson-Wooden had already made history by becoming the first woman to win a world sprint double since Fraser-Pryce, dominating the 100m and 200m finals. She got the US off to a strong start, but Jamaica was ahead until a clumsy baton change between Tia and Tina Clayton cost them precious time. The US led heading into the final straight, and Richardson held off a furious late charge by Smith to cross the line first, roaring in delight.
Richardson, who finished fifth in the individual 100m, paid tribute to former elite sprinter Dennis Mitchell, who coaches all four members of the US team. Mitchell served a ban for doping during his competitive career, but Richardson expressed that she had “the utmost respect” for him. “His coaching style is something that all of us have never experienced before, not just as a coach, but as a person,” she said.
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