Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: I knew I'd won from start

Jamaican roars to unprecedented third women's 100m world title

Beijing: Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce roared to an unprecedented third women's 100 metres world title in a flash of green braids to emulate countryman Usain Bolt yesterday.


Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reacts after crossing the finish line at the Beijing National Stadium yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

The double Olympic champion, wearing a band of yellow flowers in her green-dyed hair, clocked 10.76 seconds to win easily in Beijing, a day after Bolt blazed to glory in the men's 100m.

'Walking garden'
"I like it when I'm chirpy and happy so I decided to do my hair green," said Fraser-Pryce, waving her matching green and yellow fingernails. "I got my sunflowers too — I was like a living, walking garden. I didn't know I was the first woman to have won three world titles but, hey, that's awesome!" she added. "There was too much emotion, coming back to where it all started in 2008. I was just 21 and nobody knew who I was — I didn't know who I was at that time."


Fraser-Pryce competed wearing a band of yellow flowers in her green-dyed hair. Pic/AFP 

Fraser-Pryce got off to an explosive start and was never threatened, winning with plenty to spare from Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers, who took silver in a time of 10.81 with American Tori Bowie third in 10.86.

"I knew from the start the race was won," said the pint-sized Jamaican, who captured the world title in 2009 and 2013. "Last year was not a good year for me but I was able to work hard and trust the process. It made me even more hungry for this one. Sometimes things are a blessing in disguise."

Fraser-Pryce's task was eased when compatriot Sherone Simpson, silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, missed the final along with Ivory Coast's Murielle Ahoure, second in the 100 and 200m in Moscow two years ago.

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