World 100-meter champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden believes she is capable of breaking the long-standing world record of 10.49 seconds, set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988. After her stunning victory with a time of 10.61 seconds, she is now the fourth-fastest woman in history. Despite her win, the 24-year-old sprinter is “still hungry for much more,” believing she has the potential to run a sub-10.6 second race.

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From Underdog to World Champion

Jefferson-Wooden’s journey to the top has been marked by a significant evolution from her last-place finish at the Eugene 2022 World Championships. She credits this experience with defining her drive and pushing her to “shoot for the stars.” Her self-belief was further validated by a bronze medal and a sprint relay gold at the Paris Olympics. Now, she is also setting her sights on the 200-meter event, aiming to become the first American woman to legally win the sprint double.

The Mental Game

The athlete emphasized the importance of focusing on the process and executing her race plan without overthinking. She stated that her coach advised her to “just be yourself, don’t try to overdo it.” For Jefferson-Wooden, the mindset for the 200-meter is a fresh start, as she’s no longer the world champion in that event. This approach allows her to focus on what she has in the tank and see what she is capable of.