‘Melissa Just Broke Her’- American Legend on Why Jefferson-Wooden Dominated Gabby Thomas in Philly Grand Slam 200m

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has explained why Sha'Carri Richardson's Star Athletics teammate Melissa Jefferson-Wooden smashed favorite Gabby Thomas in the 200 meters at Philadelphia Grand Slam Track

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s emphatic win over Gabby Thomas at the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track not just in the 100 meters, but also in Thomas’ specialist 200m evet left many fans stunned.

But for one American sprint legend Justin Gatlin, the outcome was no surprise.

She won Saturday’s 200m in a personal-best 21.99 seconds (and defeated Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas).

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Then on Sunday, she took the 100m in 10.73, lowering her personal best from 10.80. She moved into a tie for 10th place on the all-time women’s 100m list.

She’s also now the fifth-fastest American ever, the second-fastest active American behind training partner Sha’Carri Richardson (personal best 10.65 from 2023) and the fastest woman in the world for 2025.

Justin Gatlin Explains Gabby Thomas’ Mistake

Breaking down the race on his Ready Set Go Podcast, the sprint great explained why Melissa’s aggressive strategy and superior execution left Gabby unable to respond.

“Melissa ran that race exactly the way you’re supposed to when facing someone like Gabby,” he said.

 “She got out fast and opened up a gap on the curve—and when they came off the turn into the straight, Gabby just couldn’t reel her back in.”

While Gabby Thomas entered the race as a favorite, especially starting in lane six with Jefferson-Wooden in seven, things didn’t go to plan. 

According to Gatlin, Gabby was expected to pace Melissa through the turn, break the stagger at around 120 meters, then use her superior endurance to inch ahead in the final stretch.

“But Melissa had other plans,” he pointed out. “And we know who she’s coached by—Dennis Mitchell. That’s the same strategy Dennis used with me back in 2016. Get out. Stay out. Build a gap that can’t be closed.”

The key, he noted, came down to angles and drive phase mechanics.

Gatlin: Melissa Simply Broke Gabby

“Gabby popped straight up after her first two steps. She didn’t stay low or use angular momentum to drive through the curve—she just ran upright, like a 400m runner, and tried to build speed from that,” he explained. 

“But Melissa understands angles. She drove low, transitioned hard, and exploded out of that turn. You can't beat someone like that by running flat.”

In short, Gabby’s technical flaws combined with Melissa’s flawless execution gave Jefferson-Wooden the edge—and ultimately, the win.

“She didn’t meet Melissa in the world of angles,” the legend concluded. “That’s why the deficit looked so big—Melissa simply broke her.”