Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 2025 Season: Justin Gatlin Unbothered by Early Struggles
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin is confident that Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will find her top form when it matters most—despite a slow start to the 2025 track season.
Fraser-Pryce, a 10-time world champion, recently finished fourth in the Doha Diamond League, raising questions about her current form. However, Gatlin, a 2004 Olympic gold medallist, believes the veteran sprinter knows how to time her peak.
Experience Over Early Wins
“She always shows up when it counts,” Gatlin said on the Ready Set Go podcast. “If she ends up on the podium at the World Championships, no one will remember her fourth-place finish in Doha.”
The Jamaican sprint legend opened her 2025 season at Velocity Fest #17, competing only in the heats. She later contributed to Team Jamaica’s bronze medal at the World Athletics Relays, running the second leg.
Her Doha race marked her first Diamond League appearance since 2022, where she was beaten by the Clayton twins—Tia and Tina—and Great Britain’s Amy Hunt.
Fraser-Pryce’s Focus Shifts to Tokyo
Gatlin emphasized that Fraser-Pryce’s experience allows her to recover, analyze, and prepare strategically. With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo approaching, Gatlin expects the sprinter to return stronger.
“She’ll go back to the drawing board with her coach and figure things out,” Gatlin said. “She’s no longer just the talented youngster—she’s now the experienced competitor who understands her body.”
Possible Final Season
Reports suggest this could be Fraser-Pryce’s final competitive season, making every race count. Gatlin believes she’ll push to end her legendary career on a high, stating:
“She’ll tweak a few things, and I think she’ll make that team. Experience always beats raw talent.”
Fraser-Pryce herself has hinted at competing more frequently this season, but Gatlin warns she must balance ambition with caution.
