Fresh off a commanding performance at the Grand Slam Track opener in Kingston, Jamaica held from April 4-6, 2025, Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden made a resounding statement to the track and field community.
The American sprinter secured a six-figure payday by sweeping the 100m and 200m titles, confirming her resurgence.
“Count me out if you want,I’m here!” she told reporters.
Her 200m victory was especially sweet, ending a three-year drought with a dominant 24-point win and 44.00 ranking.
“I felt more nervous coming into today than yesterday… but I focused on staying out of my own head, and that’s why I got this,” Melissa Jefferson-Wooden said.
Jefferson-Wooden’s journey has been one of perseverance. After bursting onto the scene last year, she felt underestimated, a narrative she is determined to rewrite.
“People kind of remembered who I was,” she reflected.
“But this year, I’m going into it with a statement: ‘Hey, I’m here. You can count me out if you want, but I’m still going to be here no matter what you may think of me.’”
She aims to trim her personal bests of 7.09s in the 60m and 10.80s in the 100m even further.
“I want to walk away from track and field forever… as one of the greatest athletes to ever do this sport.”
Her Jamaica victories strategically repositioned her among the world’s sprinting elite as the 2025 season intensifies.
Jefferson-Wooden trains alongside sprint queens Twanisha Terry and Sha’Carri Richardson, embracing the excellence and competition that sharpen her edge. Fueled by experience, motivation, and strong support, she’s gearing up for a career-defining year.
With GST dominance, bold confidence, and relentless drive, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is back—ready to redefine the future of sprinting.
