For Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, There’s No Place Like First Place
- September 11, 2025
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is representing the US women’s sprints in Tokyo, where she’s running both the 100-meter and the 200-meter. But saying she earned the right to race for her country undersells just how dominant of a season, from start to finish, the South Carolina native has had. She’s undefeated in the 100-meter this year. During her preliminary heat at the US Championships, she laid down a 10.65, making her the sixth fastest woman in American history. She’ll go for the legendary sprint double in Tokyo, and if she can strike lightning twice, she’ll be the first woman to do it in 22 years. Here, MJW talks about her unbeaten season, her surge in confidence since last summer in Paris, and her preparation ahead of Tokyo as she looks to make history.
Having a winning mindset starts by taking responsibility for what you can control, not what you can’t. Growing up, I didn’t necessarily have the most resources. But if I was going to be successful, I couldn’t let adversity get in the way of what I really wanted to achieve on the track. I learned to not complain about the things I don’t have, and instead focus on the things I can control and allow those things to fuel me.
The biggest change I noticed in myself this season was when I focused on competing against myself versus other people. I’m not focusing on what other racers can do or the ways I don’t feel equipped. I’m focusing on the things that make me my best self, like my technique and my cues. I’m not losing sight of how I can compete against my own best. That takes its own kind of discipline.
When I take the starting line, I’m representing my village. That’s my family, but it’s also my team who’s been a part of my journey — my coaches, my training partners. I worked so hard to get to where I am, but the reality is that those people have sacrificed so much on my behalf too. I’m racing for them, not just for me.
In 2025, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has recorded the world’s three fastest 100-meter times and the second fastest in the 200-meter.
“Telling your mind that your body is ready for the challenge: That’s what life is about. Go out and dare to do something that you haven’t done before.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
The feeling of winning is a full-circle moment. When I crossed the finish line for the 200-meter at Trials, I remember how satisfying it was to look at the time and feel validated for all of the work I put in, all of the struggles you fought through. Even though you’re exhausted, when you cross the finish line, you feel this peace and happiness that washes over you. Crossing the finish line in first place is obviously what I think of when I think of winning, but also the full-circle serenity of knowing that your hard work paid off.
Racing those doubles can tell you a lot about your fitness level. I had some great opportunities to run the double this year in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia. Now, in those races, we have the benefit of the 100-meter and the 200-meter being on different days, so you can take them on one by one. Tactically, you can focus on one thing at a time. But in a setting like the Trials, you might go out and need to run two 200s in a day. It took me a second to get readjusted to a more traditional double, but I was quick to remind myself, Melissa, stay out of your own head. You’re in shape, you’re prepared for this. Telling your mind that your body is ready for the challenge: That’s what life is about. Go out and dare to do something that you haven’t done before.
“I’m not getting caught up in everyone else saying that I’m the one to beat. I’m still chasing everyone else in that field before I can say I’m at the top.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
I’ve thankfully had a great season, but I’m not taking anything for granted. After Brussels, I said in an interview that I still feel like I’m the one doing the hunting. It’s the truth. I have the fastest 100-meter time in the world this year, and I’m top five in the 200-meter, but I don’t have any individual titles or medals yet. I’m not getting caught up in everyone else saying that I’m the one to beat. I’m not. I’m still chasing everyone else in that field before I can say I’m at the top.
Every performance, from my medal in Paris to whatever happens in Tokyo, has to start with my step-by-step race execution. It’s easy to get caught up in which medals or titles mean more. But if I don’t execute my race in the way that I’m supposed to, then I can’t even start talking about achievements. Let’s get to the starting line, let’s run my race, let’s execute, and let’s see what happens.