WCH Tokyo 25 brushstroke (© World Athletics)
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) – gold
On her victory:
“This year has been nothing short of a dream. I've been working so hard for this very moment to be able to come out here and focus on my execution. That's literally what I've been doing all year. It's been working for me and to be able to put together the perfect race at the right time means so much to me.”
On being able to maintain her level throughout a long season:
“The way that my schedule was set up this year, I raced every three to four weeks, so I would be able to come out and run two big races. I got some early races under my belt and then went back home to train for three weeks. It's been the perfect set-up.“
On dealing with pressure:
“People are always going to have their opinions, they're going to say what they want to say, but it's up to me how I respond and the best way for me to respond is to not respond at all.”
On getting married earlier this year:
“After I got married, me and my husband went on a little weekend getaway. And he asked me, ‘Are you OK? Are you ready for this year? What do you want out of this year?’
“And he gave me this book, which is basically our guide to the world. He said, ‘Whatever you're feeling, whatever you want to accomplish and achieve, put it in this book. Then one day we're going to be able to look back at it and see how far we came.’”
On being part of Jamacian legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s last 100m race:
“My first world championships were actually the last time she won, back in 2022. I was last in that race. I just think it's so crazy how sometimes life comes full circle.”
Tina Clayton (JAM) – silver
On what what was key to taking silver:
“There are athletes who come to the line who want a medal but it's the person who is the most determined that walks away with it. Everything that I have achieved, I think I deserve it.
“I had a lot of doubts. With everything going on (the injuries I had last year), I wanted to give up because I was like, ‘This is never going to work out.’
“But shout out to my mother. She's always behind me and speaks life into me. Probably if it wasn't for her, I would have given up already. With all this, she was in the stands to watch. I'm very grateful. This is a stepping stone for me to achieve bigger goals.”
On who has guided her to reach this level:
“I have two friends who even when I doubt myself, they speak up for me. My mother is always on at me about believing in myself, saying that I am a champion. They saw the potential I have and made sure I could fulfil it.”
