‘It Has Been a Blessing!’ - Upbeat Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reflects on Glowing Career After Last Ever 100m Dash For Jamaica

The curtain has finally come down on the glittering 100m career of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and fittingly, it ended on the stage where it all began. 

The Jamaican sprint icon raced her last individual 100m dash representing Jamaica in Tokyo,  and walked away, not with another medal, but with the gratitude of a nation and the adoration of the fans who cheered her every step.

On a night when America’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden made headlines by powering to her first world title in a championship record time of 10.61 seconds, all eyes also turned to Fraser-Pryce, who at 37 brought the house down with a rousing ovation before her final race.

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“I definitely felt the love and support in the stadium,” she said to the media afterwards.

 “I tried not to take it all in because I was focused on the task ahead, but that reception spoke volumes about all the hard work, dedication, and support I’ve received over the years. 

“I’m truly grateful to the fans,  they’re always cheering no matter what. I just hope I gave them something to celebrate. It’s been a blessing to represent my country for so long, and God has truly been good to me.”

Fraser-Pryce didn’t win a medal in her final individual outing, but she still advanced to yet another global final — her 14th in the 100m. To her, simply being there was a triumph in itself.

“Making the finals is a huge accomplishment in itself. Of course, it’s not the result I would have wanted, but that’s life. I’m grateful I’ve been able to be part of so many finals, including this one, and I always try to take the positives,” she reflected.

Even as she bid farewell, Fraser-Pryce made sure to turn the spotlight on her teammates and the future of Jamaican sprinting. Tina Clayton clinched silver in the same event, finishing second behind Jefferson-Wooden and ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred.

In the men’s event, Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson completed a one-two medal swoop for Jamaica, making it the first time a sprinter from the island nation won a major World Championship final title since Usain Bolt at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“Tonight has been very sweet for Jamaica. Last year in the women’s 100 it was tough — only Tia made the final, while Shericka and I were injured. 

“But tonight we had three ladies in the final, and Tina delivered a silver medal with a personal best. That’s a huge accomplishment. Then we look at the men — Oblique and Kishane finishing one-two, right where it belongs, back in Kingston, home of world-class athletes. 

“Each season is different, but tonight Jamaica has plenty to be grateful for, and I think the country is overjoyed.”

It was a fitting reminder that while Fraser-Pryce’s chapter on the 100m stage closes, the book of Jamaican sprinting is far from finished.

Over nearly two decades, Fraser-Pryce has amassed an extraordinary résumé — eight Olympic medals, ten World Championship golds, and the reputation as one of the fiercest, most consistent sprinters of all time. 

But beyond the medals, she leaves behind something even more enduring: her resilience, her joy, and her trademark bright wigs that lit up every track she stepped onto.

For Jamaica, her exit from the 100m is bittersweet. For Fraser-Pryce, it is gratitude.

“It has been my blessing to do this for such a long time,” she said with her familiar smile.

Fraser-Pryce will be however hoping she can wrap up her international career with a medal for Jamaica in the 4 x 100 meter relay events.