Tina Clayton Makes History as Youngest Woman to Medal in World Championships 100m Final
At just 21 years old, Tina Clayton has etched her name into Jamaica’s rich sprinting legacy, becoming the youngest woman ever to claim a medal in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships.
The highly anticipated women’s 100m final in Tokyo 2025 saw Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States storm to gold with a blistering championship-record 10.61 seconds—the fourth-fastest time in history. But the story of the night, from a Jamaican perspective, was Clayton’s fearless performance against a star-studded field.
Running in her first senior world championship final, Clayton held her composure on the grandest stage and powered to silver with a personal-best 10.76 seconds. Her achievement signals the arrival of a new generation in Jamaican sprinting, following in the footsteps of legends like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown, while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with present stars like Shericka Jackson. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia rounded out the podium, capturing bronze in 10.84 seconds.
Clayton followed in the footsteps of Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who, at just 21 years old, became the youngest man to win World Championship gold in the 100m at the 2011 Daegu Championships.
Full Results – Women’s 100m Final, Tokyo 2025
- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA): 10.61s (Championship Record)
- Tina Clayton (JAM): 10.76s (Personal Best)
- Julien Alfred (LCA): 10.84s
- Shericka Jackson (JAM): 10.88s (Season’s Best)
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA): 10.94s (Season’s Best)
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM): 11.03s
- Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CIV): 11.04s
A Generational Shift in Jamaican Sprinting
Clayton’s silver medal carries symbolic weight. For over 15 years, Jamaica has dominated women’s sprinting through titans like Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah. With Fraser-Pryce clocking 11.03s in what could be one of her final global appearances, Clayton represents both continuity and change—a new sprinter stepping into the world spotlight while carrying Jamaica’s sprinting torch forward.
Reactions and National Pride
Fans across Jamaica erupted in celebration, hailing Clayton’s run as a defining moment in the nation’s sporting future. Many view this performance as the beginning of a new era, where Clayton, alongside contemporaries like Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville on the men’s side, could anchor Jamaica’s dominance in global sprinting for years to come.
Looking Ahead
With Paris 2028 already on the horizon, Tina Clayton has signaled that Jamaica’s sprinting throne remains secure. At only 21 years old, she has not just won silver—she has won the hearts of Jamaicans who see in her the promise of another golden chapter in the island’s unparalleled sprinting history.
Would you like me to also create a shorter social media version (headline + 2–3 lines) that Jamaica Live can post instantly alongside a photo of Tina?