THE POCKET ROCKET PASSES THE BATON: SHELLY-ANN FRASER-PRYCE RETIRES

Written by: Nolwazi Zondi

276 races later, the warrior, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce crossed the finish line for the last time at the World Athletic Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, 21st September 2025. A full circle moment for the Jamaican athlete who stepped onto the world stage in Japan in 2007 and won silver with her team, and is now bowing out where it all started, in Japan, with another world silver medal.

‘Today is a full circle moment for me, I was a reserve at my first world championships in Japan in 2007. I couldn’t have it any other way…I am grateful for the medals, the stadiums, and the crowds where I have competed throughout my career,’ stated the most decorated female 100m sprinter in history.

With 26 Olympic world medals, the five-time 100m world champion has showcased her brilliance over the past two decades on the track – always competing with fierce speed; strength and composure. Shelly-Ann has carried this sport throughout different phases of her life – not allowing anything to hold her back – but instead remained faithful and disciplined to her dreams.

‘My son is my biggest motivation. I think competing after I had my son, for women, it teaches us that our dreams don’t end when we become mothers…If anything they add value to our dreams and our goals, what we are chasing,’ said Zyon’s mother to Marie Claire magazine, and indeed continued the chase of her dreams after giving birth and succeeding with five global podiums and back-to-back 100m titles. Furthermore, in 2019 the warrior became the oldest woman to claim the 100m world title – not only continuing the chase but setting the bar of longevity high.

‘I KNOW WHO I AM…I AM ALL WOMEN!’

The Pocket Rocket advocates highly for the empowerment of women. The way that she shows up on world stages has been very intentional – showing up authentically; boldly and confident in who she is and where she comes from. Shelly-Ann speaks highly of the women in her country and draws her inspiration from them stating, ‘I saw strength in them before I saw the world.’

The impact that the most decorated 100m sprinter wants to leave is, ‘Showing women you can be more, you don’t have to limit yourself…I’ve been able to wear many hats and it’s important as women to know that we can wear many hats.’ Shelly-Ann has embodied the duality of motherhood and greatness – that the two can co-exist.

The prime minister of Jamaica honoured the legendary athlete on instagram with a reel of Shelly-Ann competing in various races and captioned the reel, ‘On behalf of a grateful nation thank you, Shelly-Ann for lifting our flag higher and higher. You are not only a sprinter queen, you are a Jamaican legend.’ A world legend!

‘CHART YOUR OWN PATH. KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND STAND ON IT!