Newly crowned women’s 100m champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden barely broke a sweat in qualifying for the 200m semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 on Wednesday (17 September).
Jefferson-Wooden dominated her heat in 22.24, second fastest on this muggy evening, to march on to Friday’s semis at the National Stadium. No woman has capped the 100m-200m double at a worlds since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013.
Right on the heels of the American was Shericka Jackson, who showed her class as the defending champion to progress in 22.33. Jefferson-Wooden’s US compatriot Anavia Battle had the top qualifying time of 22.07.
Former world champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain was fifth overall in 22.40.
The top three from each of the six heats plus the six fastest times qualified for the next round.
Paris 2024 200m gold medallist Gabby Thomas withdrew ahead of the meet due to an achilles injury.
The Olympic 100m champion and 200m silver medallist, Julien Alfred, pulled out of the race after straining her hamstring in the 100m final on Sunday. She is the world leader this year with a 21.71.