Monrovia, Liberia – Thelma Davies of Liberia lit up the track with a scorching run in the women’s 100-meter event at the famous 64th Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic (June 24–25, 2025). Davies blasted out from the starting blocks, demolishing her previous record and creating a new Liberian national record with a personal best time of 10.91 seconds.
In a photo finish, she defeated seasoned Ivorian sprint champion Marie-Josée Ta-Lou-Smith (10.92 s), while New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs jumped to third place in 10.94 s, setting a national record for her nation.
With this performance, Davies broke Liberia’s record of 11.34 seconds for the 100 meters, which had been held by Ada Udaya since 2014. The 0.43-second increase highlights both skill and form and is a significant jump in elite sprinting. Olympic-caliber athletes from all around the globe compete in the Golden Spike meet, which is a part of the globe Athletics Continental Tour Gold and is only one step below the Diamond League.
Davies, who was born on May 8, 2000, in a Ghanaian refugee camp to Liberian parents who had fled civil war, has had an incredibly resilient journey to the world stage. She excelled athletically at Girard College and then Louisiana State University (LSU) after her family relocated to the United States.
She excelled in both the 100 and 200 meters at LSU, surpassing the 11-second mark twice and setting a personal best of 22.17 in the latter event during the 2024 season. She competed for Liberia at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, however she had to withdraw due to an injury sustained during her heat (12.05 seconds).
Davies won the 200 meters in Stockholm in 2025 after running 11.14 seconds in the Philadelphia Grand Slam. Her breakthrough in Ostrava was made possible by her steady form.
More than just a sporting tale, Davies’s path from exile to record-setter serves as a potent metaphor for tenacity. Her place among the top sprinters in the world is confirmed by her national record.
Liberia’s growing prominence in international athletics is highlighted by setting a national record on a prominent European platform. Davies’s poise, accuracy, and tactical advantage are demonstrated by the fact that he defeated seasoned champion Ta Lou Smith by a mere 0.01 seconds.
Her ascent also illustrates how African women are becoming more well-known in sprinting and are posing a threat to established dominance on the international scene. As the 2025 World Athletics Championships draw near, Davies is a serious contender in the 100- and 200-meter individual sprints as well as for Liberia’s relay team.
One can anticipate her seeking better times, moving up the continental and international rankings, and continuing to pave the way for the upcoming generation.
Reported by: Sylvester Tamba
