Women’s 100m: Alfred sets Tokyo 2025 heats on fire

The women’s 100m event at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships began with fireworks, as Julien Alfred, Daryll Neita, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered commanding performances to top their heats. Sprint stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also booked their spots in the semifinals, setting up what could be one of the most competitive finals in recent memory.

World leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wasted no time making a statement in Heat 1. The American clocked 10.99 seconds, cruising across the line well ahead of her rivals. She finished clear of New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs, who ran 11.16 seconds, and Switzerland’s Geraldine Frey in 11.25 seconds. Jefferson-Wooden has been flawless this season in the 100m, and her confident stride in Tokyo suggests she is ready to chase her first individual world title.

In Heat 2, Jamaica’s Tina Clayton ran a smooth race to win in 11.01 seconds. Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith looked comfortable as she finished second with 11.07 seconds, while Poland’s Ewa Swoboda came third in 11.18 seconds. Nigeria’s Rosemary Chukwuma placed fifth in 11.27 seconds, just outside the automatic qualification spots. She will be relying on the fastest-loser times to progress, but her sharp start suggests she still has a chance to make the semifinals.

Heat 5 brought more good news for Team GB, with Daryll Neita producing a stunning Season’s Best (SB) of 10.94 seconds to take victory. She was followed closely by USA’s Twanisha Terry in 11.06 seconds and Liberia’s Thelma Davies in 11.26 seconds. The result means that Britain will have three sprinters in the semifinals, with Neita joining Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt, who qualified from Heat 6 in 11.13 seconds.

Richardson and Alfred steal the show

One of the most exciting heats came in Heat 3, which paired defending champion Sha’Carri Richardson against Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson. Richardson ran her best race of the season, crossing the line in 11.03 seconds, just edging Jackson, who clocked 11.04 seconds. Australia’s rising star Torrie Lewis ran a national record of 11.08 seconds to finish third, underlining her potential to cause an upset later in the competition.

Olympic champion Julien Alfred looked untouchable in Heat 4, delivering the fastest time of all competitors. She stormed to victory in 10.93 seconds, leaving Switzerland’s Salome Kora (11.23 seconds) and Canada’s Audrey Leduc (11.26 seconds) trailing behind. Alfred’s form is a major warning to the rest of the field that she is ready to defend her Olympic crown and perhaps lower the championship record.

Heat 7 was a treat for athletics fans as two of the sport’s greatest veterans went head-to-head. Ivorian legend Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith showed her experience with a strong finish to win in 11.05 seconds, while Jamaican superstar Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce followed closely in 11.09 seconds. Both athletes are competing in what could be their last World Championships, making their qualification for the next round even more special.

A semi-final to watch

With all the major contenders safely through, Sunday’s semifinals promise to deliver drama and speed. Fans are already looking forward to mouth-watering clashes featuring Alfred, Richardson, Jefferson-Wooden, Neita, and Fraser-Pryce. Each athlete brings a unique story: Alfred seeking to cement her dominance, Richardson chasing back-to-back world titles, and Fraser-Pryce aiming to extend her legendary career with another medal.

The semifinals and final will both be held on Day 2 (September 14), meaning fans will get a full day of top-tier sprinting action. With the form displayed in the heats, the women’s 100m final could go down as one of the fastest in history. Track enthusiasts should prepare for a potential photo finish as the world’s best sprinters battle for gold in Tokyo.

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