Melissa Jefferson-Wooden aiming to break Florence Griffith Joyner’s world records

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has officially confirmed her status as one of the world’s top rising talents and is now aiming to break Florence Griffith Joyner’s world records. The Olympic 100m bronze medalist recently became only the second woman since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win three gold medals at a single world championships.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden achieved this feat at the just-concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, winning gold in the 100m, 200m and the women’s 4x100m relay.

She became the fourth fastest woman in the world after clocking 10.61 sec to win the women’s 100m final, and now believes world records are within reach.

The women’s 100m and 200m world records are 10.49 sec and 21.34 sec, respectively, set by the late Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988.

In an interview, the South Carolina native revealed that she wants to go even further. Her winning time of 10.61 sec was also a world championship record. That time also marked the largest margin in the event’s history, as she crossed the finish line 0.14 sec ahead of silver medalist Tina Clayton. Her superb performance leaves her just 0.12 sec shy of the women’s 100m world record of 10.49 sec.

“The most important thing for me, if I want to break the world record and become the world record holder, is not going to be about chasing time”, said Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. “I’m going to have to do something very similar to what I did this year, which is just focus on myself, my performance, listen to my coaches and surround myself with people who are going to get me where I need to be”, added she.

Breaking a 37-year-old record will be a huge challenge, but she’s taken on tough challenges in the past, as evidenced by her impressive rise from Olympic bronze medalist to triple world championship winner.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden admitted that she prefers to be the chaser and enjoys the challenges that come her way. She credits her upbringing for her success.

Growing up in Georgetown, South Carolina, and playing for a smaller Division I college program have given her a unique motivation to achieve more than most can imagine.

“Looking back at my journey and where I started, people are often confused about how I got here. I think it’s done nothing but prepare me for the moment I’m in right now… I know that even though I’m on one of the biggest stages, people are starting to see who I really am, and that’s definitely something that’s prepared me”, said the American athlete.

With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approaching, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s hopes of making history are growing.

Only a handful of women have ever won gold medals at both a world championship and an Olympic Games, and she has the opportunity to do it on home soil.