Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the iconic Jamaican sprint queen, shared her emotions and insights in a poignant interview following her final 100m race on home soil in Kingston.
In the highly anticipated Women’s 100m Senior Finals, she secured a remarkable third-place finish with a time of 10.91 seconds, notably qualifying for the World Championships. Fraser-Pryce expressed profound excitement and gratitude, attributing her continued success to a higher power and an unyielding fighting spirit that has defined her illustrious career.
With her focus now firmly set on Tokyo, Fraser-Pryce views the impending competition as a significant “full circle moment.” She reflected that Japan was the very place where her senior championship journey first began, adding a layer of sentimental importance to this final global appearance. The unwavering support from her community, particularly from Waterhouse – which has been with her since the very beginning – resonated deeply, with many present at the stadium to witness her historic final race in Jamaica.
Despite the emotional weight of the occasion, Fraser-Pryce maintained a professional demeanor regarding her race performance. She noted that while she hadn’t yet seen the replay, her primary objective was to execute what was necessary to qualify. She candidly admitted to not feeling “sharp” and recognized areas for refinement, particularly her starts, which she felt haven’t been “popping as usual.” However, she embraced these as opportunities for further improvement.
Her concentration during the race remained unwavering; her focus, she stated, was consistent with any other competition: to execute her race plan and block out all distractions, reserving celebration for after the finish line. Fraser-Pryce concluded by expressing immense gratitude for her talent, relentless desire, grit, and determination, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to represent Jamaica one final time on the world stage.
