Fuelled by her desire to stand on the top of the podium after winning 100m bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jefferson-Wooden arrived in Tokyo as favourite following a stellar season.
Jefferson-Wooden, who has enjoyed success as part of the USA’s 4x100m relay team, had run the fastest three times of 2025 and remained unbeaten over the distance.
She dispelled any suggestions that the subsequent increased expectations might weigh heavy as she cruised through the rounds, before producing a devastating, record-breaking final performance.
Not only did it deliver the gold she desired, but she hinted at where she might yet go from here by clocking the fourth fastest time in history.
“It has been an amazing year. I have been dreaming of this moment,” said Jefferson-Wooden, who will also chase 200m and relay glory in Tokyo.
“Instead of putting the pressure on myself and taking it as something overwhelming, I was just embracing it.
“Today was all about me, about trusting my abilities, my coach, the line I have been given, and my faith. And just trusting that I was prepared for this moment.”
Jefferson-Wooden has reached the pinnacle seven years after she put her sporting ambitions on hold to save her dad’s life, stepping forward as a stem cell donor when he was diagnosed with a rare blood condition in 2018.
It remains to be seen how her small home city of Georgetown in South Carolina will mark this occasion, after a day was named in her honour following her Olympic achievements.