The Women's 100m || Elaine Thompson-Herah, Melissa Jefferson, Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred

The Fastest Women's 100m || Elaine Thompson-Herah, Melissa Jefferson, Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred

The women’s 100 meters continues to prove that sprinting is defined by fine margins, contrasting race models, and moments where reputation alone is not enough. Two races in particular highlight this reality: Ashley Henderson’s shock victory over Elaine Thompson-Herah and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s statement win against Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic. Together, they reveal how the balance of power in women’s sprinting is shifting from dominance to depth.

In the first race, Ashley Henderson entered as an underdog against Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah. Thompson-Herah arrived as the clear favorite, fresh off national and Diamond League victories and widely expected to impose herself with her trademark late-race acceleration. On paper, the matchup leaned heavily in her favor. On the track, however, Henderson delivered a near-flawless execution. She stayed composed through the drive phase, maintained form under pressure, and crucially denied Thompson-Herah the space to unleash her usual gear change. The result—11.07 to 11.09—was a reminder that even Olympic champions are vulnerable when timing, rhythm, or sharpness are slightly off. Henderson’s win was not about raw superiority, but about precision and belief.