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The rivalry between the US and Jamaica saw the rise of formidable sprinters and this article outlines the top 10 fastest women in the world.
The women’s 100m is inarguably one of the most competitive races in the world of track and this article will delve into the top 10 all-time best female 100m runners in the world.
Over time, the world of sprinting has evolved in terms of technology, with athletes posting faster times. However, the world record, set by the late Florence Griffith-Joyner at the United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, has yet to be broken, and the only athlete to threaten the record is Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Jamaicans and Americans have dominated the list of the fastest women. Still, as things unfold, other nations might start creeping into the top list including St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Ivorian Mariee-Jose Ta Lou-Smith.
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10 all-time best female 100m runners in the world
1) Florence Griffith-Joyner
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The late American sprinter paved the way for the current crop of sprinters including Sha’Carri Richardson who also makes the cut to the list of the top 10 all-time best female 100m runners. Popularly known as Flo-Jo, the sprint sensation always caught the attention of many from her glamorous looks to her great talent.
She holds the world record time of 10.48 seconds in the women’s 100m and 200m. The 100m world record was set at the 1988 United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is currently the fastest woman in the women’s 100m.
2) Elaine Thompson-Herah
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The Jamaican sprint queen is widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters and she is the fastest woman alive. Thompson-Herah has struggled with injuries in the recent past but her performances speak for her when it comes to dominating the track.
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07:00 - 26.08.2024
Retired Trinidadian sprinter claps back at Asafa Powell for rubbishing his claims that Elaine Thompson-Herah is 'done'
Powell had admitted at 'losing respect' for Boldon for claiming Thompson-Herah was finished as a top level athlete, which has prompted the former 200m world champion into clapping back at him.
The five-time Olympic champion ran the second-fastest time of 10.54 seconds at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic, days after dominating at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Her personal best time is the second-fastest time in women's history and only 0.05 seconds off the world record.
3) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
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The 10-time world champion is a piece of talent when it comes to running the 100m and she could not miss on the list of the 10 all-time best female 100m runners in the world. Fraser-Pryce has always been impressive when she steps on the track and her vibrant personality also makes her one of the most lovable 100m runners.
The 37-year-old ran the third fastest time in the world at the Diamond League Meeting in 2021, clocking 10.60 seconds to cross the finish line. She was fresh from finishing second behind Thompson-Herah at the Prefontaine Classic.
The same year, Fraser-Pryce finished second in the women’s 100m at the Olympic Games and fourth in the 200m. She was also vital as Team Jamaica claimed the gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay.
4) Carmelita Jeter
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The American might have hanged her spikes a long time ago but her name still rings in stadiums, thanks to her impressive runs that earned her a spot in the legendary 100m female runners. The three-time world champion is the fourth-fastest woman in the world.
She clocked 10.64 seconds to win the 100m race at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix. Jeter last raced in 2016 but also impacted and paved the way for young American sprinters to make a mark on the global stage.
5) Marion Jones
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Marion Jones is also one the greatest American sprinters who gave Jamaicans a run for their money during her heydays. She makes the list of the 10 all-time best female 100m runners in the world courtesy of her explosive run at the 1998 Johannesburg IAAF World Cup.
In the race, she clocked a stunning 10.65 seconds to win the race. She was a piece of talent since she also participated in the long jump events. Jones hung her spikes in 2006 and her impact on the sport will forever be remembered.
6) Shericka Jackson
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The Jamaican sprint queen has the 200m as her ‘baby’ but she has also proven to be one the best 100m female runners. Jackson is primed to be the next big thing in the sprints but her season has been clouded with injuries and she will be out for a great bounce back next season.
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09:55 - 02.09.2024
Why Shericka Jackson has a chance to defend her 200m Diamond League crown despite injury setback
As things stand, Shericka Jackson is eligible to defend her Diamond League 200m crown according to the standings released by the organisers.
The two-time world champion ran the sixth-fastest time in the world at the 2023 Jamaican Championships, which doubled up as trials for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The 30-year-old clocked a stunning 10.65 seconds to win the race ahead of Fraser-Pryce.
7) Sha'Carri Richardson
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The reigning world champion has had a turbulent journey back to the top but as things stand, Richardson is a sprinter to watch in the upcoming races.
Before the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Richardson tested positive for cannabis, a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency Rules, but she bounced back steadily to take the crown at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
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09:17 - 08.09.2024
'We bounced back'- Mary Moraa shares heartfelt moment with 'bestie' Sha'Carri Richardson
Mary Moraa has once again struck the internet with a heartwarming photo of herself and her 'bestie' Sha'Carri Richardson as she sent a stark warning to her rivals ahead of the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels.
She clocked a stunning 10.65 seconds to win the women’s 100m final at the World Championships, claiming her first global title. The 24-year-old proceeded to claim the gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay for Team USA. At the Paris Olympics, the American sprint queen claimed the silver medal in the women’s 100m and anchored Team USA to a gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay.
8) Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith
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Africa’s fastest woman has proven from time to time to be one of the greatest and she keeps proving that the continent has the ability to produce great sprinters.
She is currently the eighth-fastest woman in the world with a time of 10.72 seconds. Ta Lou-Smith clocked that time at the 2022 Diamond League Meeting in Monaco where she finished third.
9) Julien Alfred
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The rising star came, saw and conquered at the Paris Olympic Games and she continues to make waves in the world of sprinting. She became the first athlete to win a medal for St. Lucia and she will continue to make history for her nation.
Alfred clocked the ninth-fastest time, clocking 10.72 seconds to win the women’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games.
10) Christine Arron
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The Frenchwoman could not miss the list of the 10 all-time best female 100m runners in the world courtesy of her dominant performances during her days as an active runner. Arron clocked 10.73 seconds to win the 100m at the 1998 Budapest European Championships.
The two-time European champion put France on the global stage in sprinting and no other Frenchwoman has gotten to the level Arron got to. When sprinting is talked about in France, the former world champion certainly tops the list.
The former world silver medallist hanged her spikes with a fifth-place finish at the 2012 Liège Meeting international de la province de Liége.
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