American Jefferson-Wooden wins women's 100 metres world title

TOKYO : American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden capped a dominant season in some style on Sunday by winning the women's 100 metres world title in 10.61 seconds, the fastest time ever run at a world championships.

Tina Clayton confirmed her place at the front of a new generation of Jamaican sprinters by taking silver in a personal best time of 10.76, while bronze went to Olympic champion Julien Alfred in 10.84.

The race had been billed as a showdown between Jefferson-Wooden and Alfred but the American flew out of the blocks and established a lead she would never relinquish by the 50-metre mark.

She steamed home to claim her first global title and reaffirm her brilliant form in a season where she has never been beaten over 100m, nor clocked a time above 11 seconds.

"It has been an amazing year. I have been dreaming of this moment. Instead of putting the pressure on myself and taking it as something overwhelming, I was just embracing it," Jefferson-Wooden said.

"When the gun went off, I just thought 'Come on, get out strong'. The rest of the race went like a blink of an eye. When I crossed the line I was like 'Oh wow, I won'. I haven't felt happier.

"I am excited about the 200 metres now but I am really happy about this 100 gold."

Saint Lucian Alfred had been hoping to win a first world title after her gold at the Paris Olympics last year, when Jefferson-Wooden finished third.

The 24-year-old, who appeared to struggle to get going over the first 20 metres, said she had pulled a hamstring and might not race in the 200m, an event she won a silver medal in at the Paris Olympics.

"I am blessed to win this medal. It was not my time today," she said.

Jefferson-Wooden's compatriot Sha'Carri Richardson, who won silver in Paris, fell short in