On Sunday, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 35, became the first person to win five world titles in an individual running event and the oldest world champion in an individual track event, leading a Jamaican 100m sweep at the world championships.
Fraser-Pryce, the Olympic 100m champion in 2008 and 2012, won in a championship record 10.67 seconds in Eugene, Oregon. She was followed by Shericka Jackson (10.73) and 2016 and 2021 Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.81).
“It wasn’t a perfect race,” Fraser-Pryce admitted. “In a championship, it’s always hit and miss, but you’re glad you come out with a win.”
Jamaica also swept the medals at the Olympics last year, with Thompson-Herah taking first, followed by Fraser-Pryce and Jackson. Thompson-Herah, who ran the second-fastest time in history in Eugene last year with a time of 10.54 seconds, said she has missed a lot of training this season due to shoulder and Achilles injuries.
“I’m not in the best shape of my life,” she stated.
Fraser-Pryce with her second world title since becoming a mother in 2017, has now won seven titles in the 100m between the Olympics and the World Championships, breaking her tie with Usain Bolt. This one was the fastest in her collection, dating back to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
“The secret to my success is I am a competitor,” she explained. “I’m always hungry to do more because I believe there is more to be done.”