‘It Is All About Execution’: How Jefferson-Wooden Defeated Alfred in Silesia

American sprint star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden matched her season best of 10.78 seconds to win the women’s 100m at the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday, holding off Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia in a high-quality final.

Jefferson-Wooden controlled the race from the start and refused to panic despite Alfred’s challenge, with the American delighted to reproduce her season-best time in cool conditions.

‘It was a good day. It was a little cool today, so I cannot complain about having run a 10.7, equalling my season best,’ Jefferson-Wooden said.

‘Julien pushed me, but before the race my coach told me to just control the race and focus on my own lane. I did that, did not panic, I think I did a good job. That is what I generally try to do and most of the time when I do it, it brings results. It is all about execution.’

Alfred finished second in a season-best 10.83 seconds but admitted she was disappointed not to take victory despite enjoying the return to top-level competition.

‘Running in a race of this quality feels amazing, I missed it a lot. But I am in second place, so great is not the right word, rather disappointed. But I am healthy,’ Alfred said.

The Saint Lucian praised Jefferson-Wooden while already looking ahead to the remainder of her season, with races in Zurich, the 200m in Brussels and the 100m at the Ultimate Championships still to come.

‘Melissa is a great athlete and a lot of us give her a lot of respect. I still have Zurich, the 200m in Brussels and the 100m at the Ultimate Championships coming. I hope that in Zurich I will race better,’ Alfred added.

‘It is the start, if I get better there then I can win. It is a lot to work on.’