Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce blazes to victory in women's Track & Field Worlds 100m final

In one of the most anticipated events of the World Athletics Championships, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce stormed to victory to claim 100m gold in Oregon in a new championships record.

The reigning - and now five-time - world champion was in a class of her own as she set a time of 10.67 to record back-to-back world titles. Shericka Jackson came home second and reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah third in a Jamaican sweep of the podium.

Fraser-Pryce has been in excellent form this season, having posted the fastest time of the year. However, she faced challenges from her decorated teammate Thompson-Herah, who completed a famous 'double double' when she won the 100 and 200m races at Tokyo 2020 after doing the same at Rio 2016.

And a new challenger has arisen from within the Jamaican ranks, with Jackson winning both the 100m and 200m at June's Jamaican trials, including setting the third-fastest time in history in the longer event.

However, Fraser-Pryce is a force of nature and once again proved her class in a stacked field that also included Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith who finished fourth as she equalled her national record, and home favourites Aleia Hobbs and Melissa Jefferson.

The 35-year-old Fraser-Pryce has now registered 10.67 three times this season, including in this all-important World Athletics Championships final. She remains one of the most successful - and popular - women in sport, having also claimed a total of eight Olympic medals, with three of them gold.

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Five-time champion Fraser-Pryce leads home historic Jamaican one-two-three

After the final, an elated Fraser-Pryce pointed to her self-belief as a reason for her longevity and continued success in the sport of athletics.

"It's my favourite – the world title in the 100 so it's definitely special, and I'm doing it at 35. Yes, I said 35. So I'm thankful for that. I'm always trusting myself and my coach and believing in my abilities," she said.

And on being part of a historic Jamaican sweep, the serial world champion had this to say: "It was something on the cards, and I'm glad I was the one who finished first in the sweep! And I'm glad the other ladies were able to come through and we're able to celebrate the one-two-three."

Thompson-Herah, whose bronze was her first-ever world 100m medal, was also proud that the same trio who podiumed at Tokyo 2020 repeated the feat in Oregon.

"I knew we were going to be one-two-three, didn't know the order. But I'm just grateful for us to be part of that history. I think it's our first time in a World Championships one-two-three – we did it last year at the Olympics and I'm just happy to be a part of that."

The reigning Olympic champion also revealed that she has been struggling with injury in the run-up to these championships, including a previously undisclosed issue with her shoulder.

"What motivates Elaine?" she responded when asked the question by a reporter. "Overcoming all my injuries and the obstacles I'm facing. This season I've had two injuries bothering me, the Achilles and a new injury – the shoulder."

Fraser-Pryce reigns supreme in sprint battle for the ages

Just a passing glance at the start list for this 100m final would be enough to get any athletics fan giddy with excitement.

The Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallists from Tokyo 2020 were all present, along with the entire world championships podium from Doha 2019.

Added to that, a mix of up-and-coming stars were in the field, including two young USA sprinters - Hobbs and Jefferson - who had the vast majority of the Oregon crowd behind them.

However, while the Jamaican contingent at Hayward Field may have been fewer in number, they were in a celebratory mood, perhaps anticipating what lay ahead.

And as Fraser-Pryce crossed the finish line, sporting a new blonde look that replaced the purple hair she showcased in the earlier rounds, and pointed to the air in victory, the entire stadium erupted to show their support. Because, whatever your national allegiance, it is difficult not to smile at the success of Fraser-Pryce, a charismatic figure who wears the crown of champion with dignity and class.

Now she can add yet another World Championships gold medal to a collection that continues to grow at a rate that shows no signs of slowing down.

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