Tokyo Olympics: Top 5 fastest runners in women’s 100m

The upcoming Tokyo Olympics in July will have the greatest in sports clash against each other. The 100m sprint event has been a fan favourite at the Olympic Games for the longest time. The event has seen the sensational rise of young stars as well as veterans produce their greatest performances. The women’s edition in Tokyo will be particularly exciting with regards to the jaw-dropping timings given this year.

However, the recent possibility of Sha’Carrie Richardson’s ouster from the Games has been shocking news as the USA sprinter was touted to be a medal favourite with the second-fastest time this year. Despite that, the line-up in Tokyo is nothing short of marvelous as the women’s 100m is expected to witness one of the most cut-throat competition at the Games.

Tokyo Olympics: Here’s take a look at the Top 5 fastest female sprinters in 100m for

5. Dina Asher-Smith

England’s fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith clocked 10.97 seconds at the British Olympic Trials in Manchester last week. Asher-Smith is currently ranked 2nd in the event.

The clock initially showed a time of 10.71 seconds that would have created a new British record. However, it was later revised to 10.97 seconds. Asher-Smith is the reigning 200m world champion.

“There are a few things I did wrong so when I crossed the line I was a bit like, ‘wow, OK’,” BBC quoted the Commonwealth Games Gold medallist as saying. “Maybe I can go so much faster because that wasn’t the perfect race, so I’m not entirely surprised to see the clock was not 10.71 but a win is a win at the Olympic trials,” she added. The 2019 Doha World Championships Gold medallist will be a tough competitor to beat in Tokyo Olympics.

4. Blessing Okagbare

Blessing Okagbare stunned the world after she ran a wind-aided 10.63 seconds at the Nigerian Championships in Lagos. Although the timing was the second-fastest of all-time tying her with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the wind reading of +2.7m kept the Nigerian from officially attaining the title.

“Since the start of this season, I see myself as very ready,” Okagbare told Guardian Nigeria. “I feel healthy, stronger and like the real Blessing Okagbare again. I am really happy that this time came down today; it will boost my confidence, my faith and my trust in God. I just hope this same thing happens at the Olympics,” she added.

The Nigerian record holder had failed to reach the 100m finals in Rio five years back. Her performances in the event had been below-average since a few years. However, with her scorching wind-aided run in Lagos, the Commonwealth Games 100m gold medallist has announced herself on the global stage

The 32-year-old also specialises in long jump and is an Olympics and World Championships medallist in it. Okagbare will be a force to reckon with at the Tokyo as she is considered to be a medal-favourite at the Games.

3. Elaine Thompson-Herah

The reigning double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah clocked 10.84 seconds at the Jamaican Trials in June at Kingston.

She came third behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. Thompson-Herah is currently at the 4th spot in 100m rankings. The Pan American Games gold medallist rose to prominence after she became the first Jamaican woman to bag the 100m and 200m gold medals at the Rio Olympics.

The prolific Jamaican sprinter is well on her way to recreate the Jamaican clean sweep at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

2. Shericka Jackson

Although Shericka Jackson initially specialised in 400m she switched to 100m and 200m for the 2021 season.

The Jamaican ran her personal best of 10.77 seconds at the Olympic Trials in Kingston in June. The 26-year-old finished second behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Although she is currently ranked 39th, her world-leading performance of 10.77 seconds has put her on the same level as some of the best in the event.

Jackson who had bagged a bronze in Rio in 400m, will prove to be a brutal rival to the experienced 100m sprinters in Tokyo.

1. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

The fastest woman alive, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has locked her gaze on the Olympic gold medal with her historic achievements this season.

Ranked at the top spot, the reigning world champion sizzled the field with an awe-striking timing of 10.71 seconds at the Olympic Trials. The Jamaican missed out on her 100m Olympic hattrick after she finished third in Rio. However, the ‘Pocket Rocket’ returned to the field with a vengeance taking several Diamond League circuits. All of this after giving birth via C-section to son, Zyon.

Now, self-branded, ‘Mommy Rocket’ blazed through the track at the 2019 Doha World Championships. In June 2021, she was crowned the second fastest woman ever after clocking a jaw-dropping 10.63 seconds. Dubbed as the ‘greatest female sprinter of her generation’, she has announced that she will retire after the 2022 World Championships making Tokyo her last appearance in the Olympics.

Fraser-Pryce is all set to become the first woman to bag three Olympic titles in 100m. Although she has a tough competition to beat, it seems unlikely the legend will be dethroned anytime soon.

Also Read: Sha’Carri Richardson Reportedly Fails Doping Test; Might Miss Tokyo 2020 Olympics