Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce made the “Yard” proud, leading a clean sweep of the 100 meters for the Jamaicans, who came in first, second, and third.
On Sunday, Fraser-Pryce commandeered an incredible fifth world 100 meters title at the age of 35 with a time of 10.67 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
With the win, Fraser-Pryce regained her world’s fastest woman title.
She edged out her countrywomen Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah in the phenomenal Jamaican clean sweep of the competition. Fraser-Pryce has won a medal in the 100 at the past four Olympic Games. Additionally, she won the gold in the event at the past four world championships, and Sunday’s win makes five.
https://twitter.com/Athleticsglobe/status/1548864282347147266?s=20&t=DFpqBjEddsiOL7yrobgLfw
“It wasn’t a perfect race,” Fraser-Pryce said. “In a championship, it’s always hit and miss, but you’re glad you come out with a win.”
Fraser-Pryce started like lightning and held her stride, crossing the finish line in 10.67 seconds at Hayward Field. With five 100m world titles and two Olympic 100m golds, her time was the fastest winning time of all her seven global victories.
“It’s my favorite world title; doing it at 35 (years old), yes I said 35,” Fraser-Pryce continued. “Whenever I’m healthy I’m going to compete. I’m hungry, I’m driven and I always believe I can run faster and I’m not going to stop until I stop believing that.”
She was followed by the flash speed of Jackson, who crossed at a personal best of 10.73 for silver, and Thompson-Herah took bronze with 10.81.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is World Championship Goddess 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 #Oregon22 pic.twitter.com/qXXkQG8Bwq
— Micetor (@micetormind) July 18, 2022
The United States men’s event completed a 100 meters sweep on Saturday, their first since 1991. The Jamaican women’s team followed up with their own on Sunday after having done it at the Olympics last year, ironically with the same three athletes. They also did it in 2008.
For Fraser-Pryce, it’s the provision of inspiration for other women for her.
“It’s not easy; I don’t just turn up. I have to work,” said Fraser-Pryce. “I can’t even imagine the amount of times I’ve had setbacks, and I’ve bounced back, and I’m here again. To continue to do it at 35, having a baby, still going, hopefully I’m inspiring women that they can make their own journey.”
Now Jackson is the third-fastest Jamaican of all time, a feat she was surprised to learn.
“Last year when I switched to the 100 meters I was scared, but I took my time and here I am today and I feel good to be part of history with the sweep,” said Jackson.
100m World Champion
🥇2009
🥇2013
🥇2015
🥇2019
🥇2022
Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/kZLzd1pWpr— Cydon Bowen (@bowencydon) July 18, 2022
Back-to-back Olympic sprint doubles winner Thompson-Herah is now the second-fastest on the all-time list. She sits right behind the great “Flo Jo,” Florence Griffith-Joyner, although she has yet to win an individual world title after adding Sunday’s bronze to a 200m silver in 2015.
“I’m not in the best shape of my life, I’ve had shoulder and Achilles injuries that have knocked me about a bit so I’m pleased to have overcome that,” she said. “I’m a fighter, I’m always positive and my world championship journey does not stop here.”
With the legacy of Usain Bolt and that of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, it is safe to safe that the world of track lives on Jamrock.
