Melissa Jefferson‑Wooden easing into the 200m semis and her ambition to follow in Fraser‑Pryce’s steps:

Melissa Jefferson‑Wooden strode into the semi‑finals of the women’s 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with poise, purpose, and something more: a vision that stretches well beyond this moment.

Having already laid claim to the 100m world title, she’s now chasing a rare double — and with good reason.

On Wednesday, three days after her gold in the 100m, Jefferson‑Wooden clocked 22.24 seconds in her 200m heat at the National Stadium to secure her place in the semis.

It was a strong opening in a sprint she’s run before in domestic meets, but never at a major global championship. (Reuters)

That time, while not the fastest of the day, underlined she already had the endurance, speed transition, and championship composure.

She admitted she’d run more aggressively than her coach recommended, believing her rivals were closer than they really were — a telltale of both competitive fire and perhaps a bit of inexperience with pacing a 200m in a world championship context. (Vanguard News)

Her ambition? To join the company of sprinting greats who have achieved what few have: winning both individual sprints — the 100m and 200m — in the same world championship.

The last woman to do that was Shelly‑Ann Fraser‑Pryce in Moscow 2013.

Before her, athletes like Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991) had pulled off the feat. (Reuters)

Jefferson‑Wooden doesn’t shy away from those comparisons.

She speaks openly of Fraser‑Pryce as “the greatest of all time,” not just for her tally of medals, but for her longevity, resilience, consistent excellence — qualities Jefferson‑Wooden clearly aspires to embody. (Vanguard News)

What works in her favour:

• Momentum from the 100m: She’s coming off a dominant campaign, unbeaten in the 100m this season, and culminating in the world title.

• That boosts confidence — and sets a psychological edge. (Reuters)

Absences among big names: Last year’s Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and silver medallist Julien Alfred are sidelined due to injury, reducing potential obstacles in the 200m field.

That doesn’t guarantee victory, but does shift odds slightly. (Vanguard News)

Proved ability over 200m: Earlier this year, Jefferson‑Wooden ran a personal best of 21.99 seconds in the 200m at the Grand Slam Track in Philadelphia, defeating Gabby Thomas in the process.

That shows the speed strength and tactical maturity needed for the longer sprint. (The Star)

Challenges ahead:

• Energy management: Winning the 100m and then shifting to 200m with rounds, semi‑finals, and finals demands not just speed, but recovery, race craft, and smart use of energy.

• Jefferson‑Wooden already admitted to “burning” more than her coach wanted in the heat; scaling this up will test her strategy. (Vanguard News)

Strong competition: Shericka Jackson, the two‑time defending champion in the 200m, looms large. Dina Asher‑Smith and others have shown good form. Even in a field missing some athletes, the level remains formidable. (Vanguard News)

• Historical weight: Comparisons to Fraser‑Pryce are lofty for reason.

• Matching her legacy won’t come simply by winning a medal or two; it will require consistency over years, adaptability, and the ability to rise at the big moments.

• But ambition may be Jefferson‑Wooden’s greatest asset here.

In her post‑heat comments Jefferson‑Wooden struck a balance of humility and hunger.

She said the heat was partly a dress rehearsal: to get a feel for the curve, to remind her legs what 200m at major competition feels like.

“I want three gold medals. I want to push my body,” she said — referring to the 100m, 200m, and the relay. (Vanguard News)

As for longevity, she looks at Fraser‑Pryce with respect.

At 38, Fraser‑Pryce is competing in what will likely be her last global championship – finishing sixth in the 100m behind Jefferson‑Wooden.

Jefferson‑Wooden says sharing the track with her was special, and uses her example as a template not only for sprinting success but for staying power. (Vanguard News)

Looking ahead, Thursday’s 200m semis will be the next hurdle.

If she navigates that cleanly, she’ll be one step from the final — and one step closer to rewriting what people expect, not just of her, but of what this generation of sprinters can achieve.

In short: Jefferson‑Wooden has earned her place among the contenders.

If she can maintain form, manage her rounds, and keep her ambition focused, she may not just chase Fraser‑Pryce’s legacy — she could build her own.