Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran a 10.71 seconds to win the world 100 metres title at the 2019 World Championships in Doha on Sunday, September 29th instantly earning herself title of the fastest woman in the world.
Fraser-Pryce, who was away in the 2017 edition of the tournament to have her son, stunned with a 10.80 to become the world’s fastest ever in the heats. She went on to race an amazing 10.87 in the semi-finals before a 10.71 in the final to seal a fourth world title (2009, 2013, 2015 and 2019).
U.K’s Dina Asher Smith came behind in 10.83 to seal a new British record and her first world senior medal. Cote d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou settled for bronze in 10.90 after clinching silver in the previous edition in 2017, London.
IAAF celebrated Fraser-Pryce by likening her with a unicorn, a mythical animal typically represented as a horse with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead.
Here is what Shelly-Ann told the BBC after winning the race:
“To be standing here as world champion again after having my baby, I am elated. Congratulations to all the ladies. The females keep showing up. We love to put on a performance and for me I am just really happy to come away with the win.
“I had no sleep last night. Last time I was at a major championship was in 2016 and that feeling of ‘oh my God I need bed’ – it was just not happening. For me it is just experience and knowing some days will be good but mental toughness will get me through.
“My son Zyon has been my strength, my family and husband have been my strength. Having my son and coming back, performing the way I did, I hope I can give inspiration to all the women starting family or thinking of starting a family. You can do anything. It’s about who you are and why you started in the first place.”
Watch the sprint video below:
