The New Face of US Women’s Sprinting

^{July 7, 2025 | Edition #152}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

A new week has started, and there are some big shake-ups! After the Pre-Classic, Sha’Carri Richardson isn’t America’s favorite 100m sprinter now, and the new one has got a bold target! Meanwhile, several icons are gearing up for another track event for the weekend. Amid this, a British sprinter must be over the moon as he did something that no European could in 28 years! So hop on as the stories unfold…

🌟 Track Stories

New American Favorite Has Some BIG Goals!

Back in 2024, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden had no answer to Julien Alfred and Sha'Carri Richardson's speed. But now, 11 months later, in a Paris podium rematch at the Pre-Classic, she served her revenge cold! Yup, she beat both Alfred and Richardson to settle the scores. Missed it? Catch that 10.75s thriller here! But she isn’t done…

After her first-ever Pre-Classic win, Jefferson-Wooden declared, "I would like to be the Tokyo 2025 World Champion in the 100m and the 200m!" Her prophecy? "I am telling y’all, I am doubling at Trials!" Well, her chances do look high! After all, how many can say they’ve beaten the reigning Olympic champ, world champ, and Jamaican champ all in the same race? But Melissa can proudly boast! Also, her 2025 form has been unmatched…

Four 100m races so far, she stands unbeaten, that too, while being the fastest 100m woman this year. As for the 200m, she has 2 out of 3 wins this season and is the #4 fastest in the distance this year. Clearly, she is one to count on!

While Sha’Carri has been the face of America’s 100m squad, after her patchy 2025 form, she isn’t the front-runner. Instead, Melissa has become the new favorite heading into the U.S. Championships and the Worlds. Melissa also handed Gabby Thomas her first 200m loss this season, proving those two Paris Olympic medals aren't just anything. However, with Shelly-Ann, Shericka, and others at the Worlds, how will Melissa fare? Only time will tell….

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📈 Trending News

Sydney And Athing Mu Coming For Redemption

Expect some serious track action on the coming weekend as the Ed Murphey Classic is coming on July 11-12, and the line-up is stacked….Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be testing herself for the third time in the flat 400m this season. Looks like she’s seriously eyeing the 48.70 American record of Sanya Richards-Ross, the one she missed by just 0.04s in 2023. Don’t remember? Refresh your memory below!

Even if that doesn’t fall, she’s poised to take down the meet record of 50.32 set by Alexis Holmes in 2023. After all, Sydney has already gone faster than that twice this year, with her season best being 49.43! Also, she isn’t the only big name showing up…

There’s Athing Mu-Nikolayev, who just ran her first 800m after a year at the Pre Classic and ended up tenth. She will be looking for redemption but will have to look out for last year's silver medalist, Olivia Baker, and the reigning 800m US indoor champ, Nia Akins. Moving over to the women’s 200m….

The field has a strong American presence with Brittany Brown, McKenzie Long, and Tamari Davis, to name a few, along with the Jamaican sprinter Niesha Burgher and Nigeria’s Favour Ofili. It will be exciting to watch as six out of eight have already clocked times faster this season than the meet record of 22.70s! And, that's not it, as field events have a stacked lineup too!

Mya Lesnar, the reigning NCAA outdoor champ, will be looking for redemption after finishing 10th at the Pre-Classic! Over to the men's discus, we have the reigning Olympic champ, Roje Stona, and he'll be challenged by the Olympians Alex Rose and Andrew Evans, along with a stacked field...

Also, a new event is being added, the men's triathlon…You can’t miss this Meet!

Watch: The 400m Race That Left Sydney Disappointed!

📰 Top Stories of Today

🤔 What shocked Letsile Tebogo at Prefontaine? - Full Story

😮 Julien Alfred revealed surprising past details - Full Story

😔 Faith Kipyegon was disrespected at the Prefontaine Classic! - Full Story 

🤨 Tara Davis-Woodhall has a special request for Nike - Full Story

 😪 An American track star makes a painful confession! - Full Story

See what else is trending in the world of track & field - Click Here

🎖️ Beyond The Medals

This British Sprinter Ended a 28-Year Wait!

In August 2024, Matthew Hudson-Smith missed the gold by just 0.04 seconds in the Paris Olympics men's 400m, that too, while running a European best time of 43.44 seconds! But this weekend, in a near-Paris rematch, at Pre Classic, he came out on top to win gold and clocked 44.10s to set a European record. Don’t believe us? Watch it for yourself! 

Ever since Americans and Caribbeans have dominated the event, but Hudson-Smith took the win away from them. However, interestingly, he does have a Caribbean connection… Both his grandmothers and parents are Jamaican. Also, there is more than gold to his win!

After all, Hudson-Smith has become only the second European to ever win the men’s 400m at Pre-Classic after the English sprinter Mark Richardson, who won in 1997. Thus, he broke a 28-year-long dry spell! Also, he is now the #4 fastest 400m runner this year. However, there’s more…

The road hasn't always been easy for Hudson-Smith! He worked in a supermarket before turning to track and field. And at 23, he moved to the U.S. and even stayed with sprint icon Noah Lyles for a while. But the pandemic hit, injury slowed him, and doubts started to creep in. However, now at 30, it looks like Hudson-Smith is back and better than ever!

Watch: How 0.004s Costed Gold to Hudson Smith In Paris!

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll Result: We asked you, “Which Race Are You Most Excited About at the Prefontaine Classic?” Well, you all gave us a mixed response — no clear majority! But honestly, we can’t blame you. With lineups this stacked, confusion was bound to happen. One thing’s certain, though: the Prefontaine Classic was a thriller. If you missed even a second of it, don’t worry — our Prefontaine Special Edition has you covered.

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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