Melissa Jefferson-Wooden On How Her Revenge Win Over Gabby Thomas Fueled Her Historic Season

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has opened up about how beating Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas boosted her confidence ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The triple world champion was fresh from competing at the Grand Slam Track in Miami, where she finished second in the 200m, as Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis finished first and second, respectively.

The third-place finish in the women’s 200m in Miami was Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s only loss of the season in her individual events, as she was unbeaten in the 100m.

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Speaking to Citius Mag in an interview, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden disclosed that, heading to the Grand Slam Track leg in Philadelphia, she was thinking of a way to take revenge against Gabby Thomas.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden pointed out that, lining up for that race, she knew what was at stake and was sure she could take down the former world 200m silver medallist.

“It was, but it wasn't a shocker because I knew I was going to beat her. I will be honest to say that I did not like losing in Miami like that. I was swimming at the end and getting beaten by Gabby,” Melissa Jefferson-Wooden explained.

“I fell to third because Tamari came back and passed me as well. Yeah, I didn't like that too much. I was happy that I still won the slam, but I was like, I didn't want to lose that. And so, getting ready for Philly, I was like, ‘Yeah, like you're not going to get me twice.’”

The triple world champion added that she was not perfect at executing the 200m, but after the shocker in Miami, she was willing to go out of her way to prove a point.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden explained that winning the race over Gabby Thomas was enough reason for her to know that she was unstoppable.

She noted that the victory gave her the morale ahead of the World Athletics Championships and made her realise that she could make history.

“That's why I kind of don't know if you remember, like my face when I came through the line in Philly, it was kind of like, ‘Oh, wow. I did that.’ But I was looking like that because earlier that day, like I said, I always feel like I'm getting in my own way when it comes to the 200,” Melissa Jefferson-Wooden added.

“I felt like Philly was my breakthrough race, but Philly also set up my confidence for the rest of the year. It was like, ‘Okay, Melissa, no matter as well, not no matter, but like as long as you stay out of your own way, like the sky is literally the limit for you.”

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden also reflected on how important it is to trust oneself and not get in the way of one’s own potential.

She explained that as long as an athlete avoids self-doubt and stays focused, they can surprise even themselves with what they are capable of achieving.

According to Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, anyone can step onto the track and do things that others never believed possible, even shock the world. She admitted that this message resonated deeply with her at that moment, saying she truly needed that reminder and motivation to keep pushing forward.

“Like, as long as you don't try to get in your own way, you can literally go out there and shock yourself. You can go out there and shock the world,” she explained.

“You can go out there and do things that nobody else thinks that you can do.’ And I for sure needed that. Like, definitely needed that. Okay.”

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden went ahead to make history as the first American woman to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in a World Championship. She also became just the second woman in the world, behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to achieve the feat.