Melissa Jefferson-Wooden underlined her dominance of women’s sprinting with a stunning 200m victory that completed her golden double in Tokyo. Just five days after her 100m triumph, the US sprinter stormed to a personal best and world-leading 21.68, pulling clear of Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Britain’s Amy Hunt.
Being the first American to win the women’s 200m at a World Championships since Allyson Felix means a lot,” “I looked up to her so much growing up. To hear these statistics makes me feel blessed and grateful for the position I am in now.
Her time elevated her to eighth on the world all-time list, sandwiched between sprint legends Merlene Ottey and Allyson Felix. For Jackson, the defending champion, the final metres proved too much as Hunt surged for silver in 22.14, with Jackson settling for bronze in 22.18.
Bol Retains 400m Hurdles Crown
Dutch star Femke Bol delivered yet another masterclass in the women’s 400m hurdles, successfully defending her world title with a world-leading 51.54.
I was focused on myself and running for my life until I made it through the line. This is my second gold medal in a row which makes me really proud. The last 100m was the best I’ve had all season — that is what was special today.
Bol’s time was the fastest she has ever run at a major championship, underlining her supremacy in the event. Jasmine Jones of the USA chased hard for silver in a personal best 52.08, while Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova grabbed bronze with a national record 53.00, becoming only the second Slovak woman to medal at a World Championships.
Pichardo’s Last-Jump Heroics in the Triple Jump
If Jefferson-Wooden and Bol thrilled with speed and endurance, Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo electrified the Tokyo crowd with drama. Locked in a fierce contest, Italy’s Andrea Dallavalle seized the lead with a lifetime best 17.64m on his final attempt. With one jump left, Pichardo summoned his trademark composure and soared to 17.91m, a world lead, to snatch gold.
I was scared, but I always leave a bit for the last jump. My wife doesn’t like it much, she always says I have to give it my all on the first jump. But I saved a little bit of energy and now we have a victory.
The 32-year-old added this world title to his Olympic gold from the same Tokyo stadium in 2021, further cementing his legacy. Cuba’s Lazaro Martinez completed the podium with bronze in 17.49m.
Lyles Wins Fourth Straight 200m Title
Noah Lyles confirmed his mastery of the men’s 200m, holding off a stacked field to secure his fourth consecutive world crown. In a race of unprecedented depth, the Olympic 100m champion clocked 19.52, edging compatriot Kenny Bednarek (19.58) and Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (19.64 PB), with Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo fourth in 19.65. For the first time ever, four men dipped under 19.70 in the same race, and five finished inside 19.80 — a measure of the quality Lyles had to withstand.
I can’t wait for 2027 to become the only man to win five 200m titles,” he said. “I don’t have good memories from Tokyo in 2021. At that time, I was depressed, but this time I am energised. I love what I do, and I am happy. This is amazing and such a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever.
Benjamin Adds World Gold to Olympic Crown
Another American, Rai Benjamin, finally secured the world title that had eluded him. The Olympic champion won the men’s 400m hurdles in 46.52, holding off Brazil’s Alison dos Santos (46.84) and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (47.06). Despite clipping the last barrier, Benjamin had the strength to dip first. “I just wanted to stay composed and execute my race plan,” he said. The victory was particularly sweet, given Dos Santos’s previous global dominance. Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel was a surprise package, finishing fifth in a national record of 47.11 — moving him into the world all-time top 10.
Heptathlon Battle Takes Shape
Away from the finals, the women’s heptathlon produced intrigue on its opening day. Anna Hall of the USA established an early lead with 4154 points after strong performances across hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m. Ireland’s Kate O’Connor sits second on 3906, ahead of defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson (3893). Olympic champion Nafi Thiam, not yet at her best, is sixth on 3818 but remains in contention with a strong second day.
A Night of Champions
Day seven of Tokyo 25 belonged to athletes who peaked at precisely the right moment — Jefferson-Wooden with her sprint double, Bol extending her reign, Pichardo producing late heroics, Lyles stamping his authority, and Benjamin finally ascending to the world title. Each performance, whether forged in speed, endurance or nerve, reaffirmed why the World Championships remain track and field’s ultimate stage.
