Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce becomes second fastest woman in history


Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce becomes second fastest woman in history

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce became the second-fastest woman in history on Saturday. She clocked a world-leading 10.63 seconds for the 100m at the Olympic Destiny meeting in Kingston. The 34 year old was at her stunning best at the National Stadium to finish several meters clear of her closest rival.

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Late US sprinting star Florence Griffith-Joyner is the only woman faster than the Jamaican and holds the world record of 10.49sec. Fraser-Pryce’s time smashed the previous 2021 world-leading time of 10.72sec set by Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States in March.

“Now I can focus on making the team to the Olympics,” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

The reigning Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, was running her fourth 100m for the season. She is as surprised by her timing as was the crowd. “Honestly, no, I wasn’t coming out here to run that fast,” she said. “Thank God that I finish healthy.” She said she was able to relax and run as “there was no pressure — just wanted to get one more race in before the national trials.

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The two-time Olympic champ hinted that she can run faster than her personal best if push comes to shive at the Tokyo Olympics. “If I am able to run 10.6 now and trials is some time away, this year I just wanted to break the 10.7 barrier so now I can focus on making the team to the Olympics,” she said.

It’s one part of the process. I can’t get too complacent as I still have to make the national team at the national trials.

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