Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Silences Shericka Jackson to Complete Historic Sprints Double in Tokyo

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed a historic sprint double when she added the 200m world title to her 100m crown following a blistering run on Friday.

Jefferson-Wooden, who has been in great form this year, ensured she will leave the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan as one of the big winners as she won the women’s 200m gold medal after clocking a world leading time of 21.68 seconds.

The American finished ahead of countrywoman Amy Hunt, who claimed silver in 22.14 seconds, while defending champion Shericka Jackson had to settle for bronze this time after stopping the clock at 22.18 seconds.

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It has been a great year for Jefferson-Wooden, who has sprung to prominence in 2025, with strong performances in both 100m and 200m.

The US sprinter has been hard to beat and after flooring a strong field in the 100m final, she was up against another top cast in the 200m.

She was, however, unbowed as she ensured the gold medal and an extra $70,000 would go her way, taking her total to $140,000 from Tokyo and there could be more on the way as she will be part of Team USA’s 4x100m relay team that will be looking to retain their title.

The 200m race became much easier for Jefferson-Wooden this year after the injuries and poor form of Jackson while Olympics champion Gabby Thomas and silver medalist Julien Alfred missed the race due to Achilles and hamstring injuries respectively.

Jefferson-Wooden is now the first American woman to ever win both the 100m and 200m at the World Championships, setting him apart from the rest.

For Jackson, it was a disappointing outcome, having made her comeback this year, after injuries put paid to her 2024 season, when she was forced to miss the Paris Olympics.

The Jamaican, the fastest 200m female runner alive, with 21.41 seconds, had a hard time negotiating the bend and was in danger of missing out on a medal with American Anavia Battle closing in before finishing fourth.

Africa’s fastest woman Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith also ended the race in disappointing fashion after a seventh-place finish in a time of 22.62 seconds.