Jefferson

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wins the 200m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 (© Getty Images)

In one of the most eagerly anticipated showdowns of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26, world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden got the better of Olympic champion Gabby Thomas in the 200m by taking victory in 21.47 – one of the fastest times in history.

Not only did the US athlete complete the Ultimate sprint double, having won the 100m 24 hours prior in a world-leading 10.62, she also elevated herself to third on the world all-time list in the 200m.

Ever since the lane draft on Thursday when Jefferson-Wooden opted for the lane right next to Thomas in the 200m semifinals, it had become one of the most talked-about clashes of the weekend.

Thomas won the semifinal in 21.88, pulling away from Jefferson-Wooden in the closing stages as the 100m winner finished second in 22.15. But in the final two hours later, it soon became apparent that Jefferson-Wooden had been saving her best effort for when it mattered most.

The double world champion powered out of the blocks and quickly made up the stagger on Thomas, reaching half way with a comfortable lead. Just when most onlookers expected Thomas to make her move, it was Jefferson-Wooden who had the superior second half. She extended her lead with each stride and charged through the line in 21.47.

Thomas still produced a strong run, crossing the line in 21.77, but she was a distant runner-up to her teammate, who could not believe her eyes as she glanced to the scoreboard.

Kayla White made it a US 1-2-3, taking third in 21.93. European champion Amy Hunt was fourth in a season’s best of 22.10.

“I did not see 21.47 coming tonight!” said a stunned Jefferson-Wooden. “I told myself that I need to be smart in the semi-final and save some energy. I knew when I came out of the curve in the semifinal, it would be just enough to qualify for the final.

“I never thought that people like Usain Bolt would watch my races and even have great reactions to my performances. He said to me earlier this week how proud he is of me for making it seem so easy.

“I told my husband that whatever happens tonight, it will happen because of him,” she added. “That's what the scream was for when I crossed the finish line. I was thinking I could run this fast in maybe two years but not tonight. I really have no words.”

Thomas said she enjoyed the competition, despite it not being the outcome she had hoped for.

“It was a very competitive race,” she said. “To be disappointed with a second-place finish on the global stage shows how far I have come. I liked this Ultimate from the beginning – the lane draft was a lot of fun. I think in the future whoever is ranked first should either get to pick what order they are in and I also think that first place in the semi-finals should get to pick the lane draw in the final.”

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics