FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Feb 7) — Olympic 100 metres champion Julien Alfred opened her 2026 indoor campaign in dominant style on Saturday, clocking a world-leading 7.00 seconds to win the women’s 60 metres at the Woo Pig Classic at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
The St. Lucian sprinter, fresh off a 7.04 in the heats earlier in the day, returned an hour later to trim her time and nearly dipped under the seven-second barrier for the first time this season. Alfred, who claimed the world indoor 60m title last year, owns a personal best of 6.94 set in Albuquerque in 2023 and has now produced five career sub-7.00 performances indoors.
Arkansas sprinters filled the remaining podium places, with Asia Thomas taking second in 7.37 and Taejha Badal third in 7.41. Fellow Razorback Ryan Jennings clocked a personal best 7.44 for fourth.
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The meet also marked season debuts for several international stars. Great Britain’s Amber Anning, the reigning world indoor 400m champion, proved sharp early in the campaign, winning the women’s 400m in 50.51 after splitting 24.01 at 200m. American Britton Wilson challenged briefly in the final lap but faded to second in 51.46.
Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce took the second section in 51.61 for third overall, with U.S. athlete Rosey Effiong second in her section at 51.88 for fourth on combined times. Arkansas senior Sanu Jallow-Lockhart rounded out the top five with a personal best of 52.06.
Results (selected):
Women’s 60m – 1. Julien Alfred (LCA) 7.00 WL; 2. Asia Thomas (USA) 7.37; 3. Taejha Badal (USA) 7.41; 4. Ryan Jennings (USA) 7.44 PB.
Women’s 400m – 1. Amber Anning (GBR) 50.51; 2. Britton Wilson (USA) 51.46; 3. Nickisha Pryce (JAM) 51.61; 4. Rosey Effiong (USA) 51.88; 5. Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (GAM) 52.06 PB.
