Jefferson-Wooden vs Alfred for gold but Tina Clayton can spoil party

When the preliminary round of the World Athletics Championships women’s 100 metres gets under way next Saturday in Tokyo, the million-dollar question will be: Can anyone come between the USA’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and St Lucia’s Julien Alfred?

The two have been the world’s best this year, standing clear of the field. All eyes will be on their head-to-head battle for gold.

Jefferson-Wooden, Olympic bronze medallist, is the slight favourite after a brilliant season. With sizzling times of 10.65 and 10.66 seconds, she is the only woman to dip under 10.70 this year, and remains unbeaten, including a victory over Alfred at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.

Alfred, however, arrives in Tokyo very confident after winning the Zurich Diamond League final in 10.75, equalling her season’s best. The Olympic champion will be determined to turn the tables on Jefferson Wooden and claim a second global title in as many years.

While the spotlight is firmly on the Jefferson Wooden–Alfred rivalry, the Jamaican trio of Tina Clayton, Shericka Jackson, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could yet shake things up.

Clayton, the national champion, owns a personal best of 10.81, making her the third fastest in the field. In her first global outing, the 20-year-old has improved her starts and looks ready to prove she belongs among the world’s elite. It could be an early birthday celebration for Clayton, who will be celebrating her 21st birthday three days after the final.

Jackson, silver medallist at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, has clocked 10.88 this season despite racing sparingly. Her experience at major finals means she could strike if the favourites falter.

And then there is Fraser-Pryce. The five-time world champion is making her final appearance on the track, 18 years after beginning her journey in Tokyo at the 2007 World Championships. With a season’s best of 10.91, she will need to go much faster to threaten, but her motivation to end on a high makes her dangerous.

Other names to watch include defending champion Sha’Carri Richardson, who has struggled this season with a best of 11.05, her training partners Kayla White (10.84) and Twanisha Terry (10.85), and veteran Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d’Ivoire (10.87).

Still, the main storyline is hard to ignore: Jefferson-Wooden’s explosive start and smooth mid-race running against Alfred’s powerful finish. The gold medal looks set to go to one of the two, but the Jamaicans will be lurking in the shadows.