Julien Alfred and Noah Lyles were among the sprint stars to make strong starts to their Tokyo campaigns.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships got underway on Friday (13 September) in front of a sold-out evening crowd in Tokyo. And with the sprint events opening the track action, it didn’t take long for the big names to stamp their authority.
In the women’s 100m, Olympic champion Julien Alfred looked every bit the title favourite. Powerful out of the blocks, the Saint Lucian star eased to victory in her heat, clocking the fastest time of the round with 10.93 (0.0). It was a clear sign that she’s ready to challenge for her first world outdoor title.
World leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, also tipped to be in the medal mix, looked smooth as she won her heat in 10.99 (-0.9), doing enough to qualify comfortably.
Britain’s Daryll Neita produced one of her best races of the season, running a long-awaited season’s best of 10.94 to finish second-fastest overall and start her championship on a high.
“First win of the season and it’s here at the world champs,” said Neita. “I could have cried. It felt like life is an incredible journey. You just need to be patient. That’s how it felt.
“It was fantastic even if I do say so myself. I do say so myself, I feel fantastic. Everything at the right time there. I think I’m one of them athletes that are just the pinnacle or demonstration of trusting in the process.”
Jamaica’s top sprinters also moved through with ease: Shericka Jackson ran 11.04 (-0.8) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clocked 11.09 (-0.4).
Brits Dina Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt both advanced safely after finishing second in their respective heats, with times of 11.07 (-0.4) and 11.13 (-0.1).
Olympic champion Noah Lyles looked comfortable in the men’s 100m heats, clocking 9.95 (-1.1) to win his race ahead of Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake (10.07). The American star was satisfied with the performance, describing it as a solid start.
Lyles said: “I had a great start today but I had even better ones at practice. I know there is more in the tank.
“It really feels good to be back. This is the best form I have ever been in my life. I am bringing special things here. Running 9.95 in the first round is exactly what I wanted to warm up my body.”
The top three finishers in each heat qualified automatically for the semi-finals, with a number of medal contenders…
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