Who Are the Fastest Man and Woman at the World Athletics Championships?

Tokyo (Japan), Sep 14 (NationPress) Jamaica's Oblique Seville and American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden distinguished themselves as the world's fastest man and woman, respectively, in the thrilling finals of the 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships held here this Sunday.

The 24-year-old Seville achieved a personal best of 9.77 seconds, with his fellow Jamaican Kishane Thompson securing second place in 9.82 seconds. Defending champion Noah Lyles from the United States took home the bronze with a season-best time of 9.89 seconds.

In the semifinals earlier that day, Kenneth Bednarek of the United States and Kishane Thompson topped the heats, both clocking 9.85 seconds in Heat 2 to secure their spots in the final.

Seville followed closely behind in 9.86 seconds, while Lyles recorded 9.92 seconds. Nigeria's Kayinsola Ajayi advanced with a time of 9.93 seconds, and Botswana's Letsile Tebogo achieved a season-best of 9.94 seconds.

However, it was in the final where Seville showcased his unparalleled speed, leaving Bednarek and Lyles trailing.

On the women's side, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden dominated the 100 meters final, sprinting to victory and setting a new meet record in the process.

The 25-year-old clocked 10.61 seconds, breaking the championship record of 10.65 seconds previously held by American Sha'Carri Richardson from two years ago in Budapest. Jamaican Tina Clayton secured silver with a time of 10.76 seconds, while the bronze went to Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia at 10.84 seconds.

Earlier in the semifinals, Jefferson-Wooden finished with a time of 10.73 seconds, leading the pack ahead of four-time world U20 champion Tina Clayton, who clocked 10.90 seconds to claim the second qualifying spot from Heat 3.

Olympic champion Julien Alfred advanced from Heat 2 in 10.93 seconds, while Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith from Cote d'Ivoire topped Heat 1 with 10.94 seconds. Notably, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson (10.97 seconds) and ten-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (11.00 seconds) also secured their spots in the final.

Allman Wins Women's Discus Gold

Two-time Olympic champion Valarie Allman of the United States clinched the women's discus throw title at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday. Allman, who previously won silver at the last worlds in Budapest, achieved gold with a top throw of 69.48 meters.

Jorinde van Klinken of the Netherlands took home silver with a season-best of 67.50 meters, while Cuba's Silinda Morales earned bronze with a personal-best throw of 67.25 meters. Sweden's Vanessa Kamga placed fourth but set a national record of 66.61 meters. China's Feng Bin, who won gold at the 2022 championships, finished seventh with a throw of 65.28 meters.