Italy’s Zaynab Dosso flowed inexorably to the women’s 60m title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 – and not even the Olympic champion, St Lucia’s Julien Alfred, could stop her.

Victory saw the 26-year-old Italian complete her medal set at these championships having won 60m bronze in 2024 and silver last year, when she was also European indoor champion.

Dosso was always going to be on a collision course with Alfred, the 24-year-old who has made history for St Lucia with her achievements in recent years, including 2024 world indoor gold, as both had arrived in Poland as joint-fastest in 2026 on 6.99.

Alfred had achieved that mark last month in Fayetteville, while Dosso’s high point had occurred in the same Torun arena on 22 February.

From the start of competition, Dosso seemed to draw relaxation as well as inspiration from that earlier memory.

While Alfred had had to work hard to overhaul the fast-starting Jacious Sears of the United States in her semi-final, with both clocking 7.04, Dosso ran with greater freedom to win her semi in 7.00 from Britain’s 2019 world 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith, who equalled her national record of 7.03.

As the field lined up for the final event of the second day the question was whether Dosso might tighten up at the prospect of taking a final dash towards her first global title. The answer was: no.

Once again she got away in excellent fashion and always seemed to have the race under control as she crossed again in 7.00.

Behind her, Sears managed to finish the job she had almost managed in the semi-finals as she narrowly beat Alfred to silver in 7.03, with the latter runner being given the same time.

Speaking after a victory which saw Italy top the medals table with three golds going into the final day, Dosso commented: "I still cannot fully realise what I have done. This was something I have wanted for many years. I took silver and bronze medals before, now I am finally the champion.

“And this year, unlike last, everyone was here, people like Julien Alfred, so it means even more. I thought it would take a time below seven seconds to win but that is how championship finals are…

“I will not have a lot of time to celebrate – I have an exam on Monday and I have to move to a new home next week!”

Alfred added: “The 60m is very short and the most crucial part was the start. Even if it doesn't look like that, it has been really stressing me out but I am happy to bring a new medal to home, my Saint Lucia.”

Sears commented: “I think I surprised some of the opponents today. I was feeling nervous watching the screen and waiting for the results to show up.

“I knew I was close but it was a really tough race. I didn't know if I had won the medal. Now, I am so excited for the outdoors. The goal is to win, win, win. I want to improve my personal bests."

Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith had won her heat and semi-final in fine style, but she had to take fifth place in the final in 7.06 behind team-mate Brianna Lyston, who clocked 7.05.

Home hope Ewa Swoboda, who won world indoor silver in 2024, was unable to add another medal despite massive support, finishing sixth in 7.07, one place ahead of Asher-Smith, who clocked the same time. It was the first time that seven women had bettered 7.10 in the same race.

Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van Der Weken was eighth in a high-quality final in 7.10.

Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics

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