Melissa Jefferson-Wooden celebrates winning her world title. Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became the world champion in the women’s 100 meters on Saturday, setting a championship record time in the process.

Jefferson-Wooden scorched down the track in 10.61 seconds, the fourth fastest time in history. She got out of the blocks fast and never relinquished her lead, opening up a sizeable gap over her competitors by the finish line at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

She eventually finished 0.15 seconds ahead of Jamaica’s Tina Clayton, the second-biggest winning margin in championship history, and 0.23 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred.

“It was not easy, it looked that way, but it wasn’t,” the 24-year-old told the BB

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