World Championship: Fraser-Pryce is fastest woman in the world

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce further staked her claim as one of the greatest female sprinters of all time by storming to victory in the women’s 100 meters final at the World Championships in Doha.

The Jamaican blew away a world-class field in a time of 10.71 seconds to claim her fourth world championship title in the discipline and eighth world title overall.Sunday’s victory came two years after Fraser-Pryce gave birth to her son, Zyon.”My secret is just staying humble and just know who you are as a person and athlete and just continue to work hard,” the 32-year-old said after her victory, where she was joined on the track by Zyon.”It’s a wonderful feeling having my son witnessing this.”Much like Usain Bolt had dominated the world of men’s sprinting, his compatriot has been the woman to beat for years — her first of two Olympic gold medals came back in 2008.

Her performance in Doha was a testament to such longevity, with her latest time just 0.01 seconds off the personal best she set back in 2012.With years of experience on her side, Fraser-Pryce looked composed throughout the race with her trademark style lightening up the competition.

The superstar had opted for a bright yellow hair in the heats but donned a “unicorn” styled theme for the final.”I needed something sweet, Doha is already hot. I got my unicorns. They say unicorns are something you never see but here I am,” she joked.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was the only woman that ever looked like threatening the Jamaican but even the 23-year-old fell short as she came second in a time of 10.83 seconds — a new British record.Moments before Fraser-Pryce breezed to victory, USA’s Allyson Felix broke Bolt’s record by clinching a 12th gold medal at the World Championships in the mixed-gender 4x400m relay team.

Like the Jamaican, Felix is a new mom and was part of the high profile movement that pressured Nike to change long standing maternity policies for its sponsored athletes.Along with decorated women runners — including Alysia Montaño, Kara Goucher and Phoebe Wright — Felix successfully got the brand to adapt its policy which now ensures female athletes won’t be “adversely impacted financially for pregnancy” for 18 months, which is six months more than under the previous policy.

Leave a Reply