Sha’Carri Richardson’s training partner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden pulled off the upset victory in the women’s 100-meters at the Prefontaine Classic.
Jefferson-Wooden got out of the blocks fast, maintained a narrow lead over Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred and was able to hold off the Olympic champion, running a winning time of 10.75. Alfred comfortably placed second at 10.77 and Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith of the Ivory Coast ran a 10.90 to place third.
The race wasn’t a good showing for Richardson. Richardson got a slow start and was never in contention throughout the race. She crossed the finish line in last place at 11.19.
Saturday’s race was a bit of revenge for Jefferson-Wooden. Jefferson-Wooden finished third behind Alfred and Richardson at the Paris Olympics.
Here are some highlights from the 2025 Prefontaine Classic:
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominates 400
The women’s 400-meter hurdles world-record holder is a force in the open 400.
McLaughlin-Levrone cruised to win the event with a season-best time of 49.43. It’s the sixth fastest time in the world this year. McLaughlin-Levrone asserted herself a little over 100 meters into the race. She made up the stagger during the final turn and left the rest of the runners behind her.
McLaughlin-Levrone wasn’t satisfied with her performance despite the convincing victory.
‘Not my best work, honestly,’ McLaughlin-Levrone told NBC after the race. ‘This is a great indicator for us moving forward. A lot to work on, a lot to go and look back at but grateful for the win.’
Fellow Americans Aaliyah Butler (49.86) and Isabella Whittaker (50.81) placed second and third, respectively.
McLaughlin-Levrone switched to the 400 this season after capturing two-straight Olympic gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo wins 200
Tebogo sprinted to victory in the men’s 200.
Running out of lane 7, Tebogo ran with the pack around the turn but quickly surged by the other sprinters down the home stretch and crossed the finish line with a world-leading time of 19.76. American Courtney Lindsey came in second at 19.87 and Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando came in third, crossing the line at 19.94.
Tebogo became Botswana’s first Olympic gold medalist when he beat a stacked 200 field, including Noah Lyles, at the Paris Olympics. He was the recipient of the 2024 World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year award.
Kishane Thompson makes statement in 100
The Olympic silver medalist is out to prove he’s the fastest man in the world.
Jamaica’s Thompson led from start to finish in the men’s 100 meters, with a winning time of 9.85. Thompson got a solid start, created some distance between the rest of the field around the 50-meter mark and crossed the finish line comfortably in first place.
Britain’s Zharnel Hughes took second (9.91) and American Trayvon Bromell placed third (9.94).
Thompson entered the Prefontaine Classic with the top time in the world this year at 9.75.
The Jamaican sprinter came in second just behind Noah Lyles in a photo finish at the Paris Olympics.
Faith Kipyegon breaks own world record
Kipyegon didn’t become the first woman to break the 4-minute mile barrier, but she’s still the top middle-distance runner in the world.
The Kenyan ran a 3:48.68 to break her own world record in the women’s 1,500.
The most decorated 1,500-meter runner in history, Kipyegon is a three-time Olympic champion in the event.
World record in women’s 5,000
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet ran a 13:58.06 to set a new world record in the women’s 5,000. Chebet is the first woman in history to run the 5,000 under 14 minutes. The previous world record was 14:00.21.
