VETERAN sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is no stranger to the big stage but after securing a third-place finish at the National Championships, enough to book her spot on Jamaica’s team for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, the 38-year-old admits she still has a lot to fine-tune before her final global showing.

The race was won by Tina Clayton in a personal best time of 10.81 seconds while second went to Shericka Jackson in 10.88.

Fraser-Pryce, a five-time 100m world champion and three-time Olympic gold medallist, clocked 10.91 seconds in the women’s 100m final a week ago at the National Stadium, in what was also her last competitive race in Jamaica.

“I think, for me, I think there is still room for improvement,” Fraser-Pryce said. “And I think this is a big plus for me to know that, ‘Okay, things weren’t a hundred per cent but I did what I needed to do and I am on the team, so I gave myself a fighting chance.’ ”

Fraser-Pryce, who began her international senior career in Japan at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, called the upcoming meet a full circle moment as she prepares to close the book on one of the greatest sprint careers of all time.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right) runs her final race in Jamaica, finishing third behind winner Tina Clayton (left) and Shericka Jackson (out of picture) during the 2025 JAAA/Puma National Junior & Senior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday, June 27. (Garfield Robinson)

“[A time of] 10.91 [means] I am not race sharp,” she admitted of her time after the race. “So for me, I am really excited. It is a long season, and I will go back and put something together and look forward to Tokyo.”

While she acknowledged the work ahead Fraser-Pryce credited her decades of experience and unwavering belief as the keys to getting through a competitive national final.

“I came out here and one thing I knew I had on my side was experience,” she said. “I know it is never over until it is over, and I am grateful for that fighting spirit that says that ‘Once I step to the line, I am ready to go.”

Fraser-Pryce also pointed out one area in particular that needs attention ahead of this year’s championships in Tokyo.

“My start hasn’t been popping, but that is room to fix,” she said. “But I never count myself out because I am always grateful to God for the talent, and desire, and sheer grit and determination that He has given me.”

Now preparing for what will be her ninth World Championships, Fraser-Pryce says she is determined to put it all together one last time on the track.

“A lot of persons wouldn’t have known that Japan is where I started my first senior championships,” she said. “So it is such a full circle moment to go back to Japan. I am just really excited, grateful to put the race together, and just hope for the best.”

FRASER-PRYCE… a lot of persons wouldn’t have known that Japan is where I started my first senior championships (Garfield Robinson)