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Adaejah T. Hodge places 3rd in Diamond League debut

- Hodge was edged out by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden & Sha'Carri Richardson in Women's 100m Final
The University of Georgia freshman, Adaejah T. Hodge, found a late surge in the Diamond League100m final on July 4, 2026, but was edged by reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (10.78) and 2023 World Champion Sha'Carri L. Richardson (10.79). Photo: YouTube
Virgin Islands sprint phenom Adaejah T. Hodge made her Diamond League debut in an emphatic fashion in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, defeating American Sha'Carri L. Richardson en route to winning her heat in the Women's 100m and then taking a podium finish in the final. Photo: YouTube
Virgin Islands sprint phenom Adaejah T. Hodge made her Diamond League debut in an emphatic fashion in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, defeating American Sha'Carri L. Richardson en route to winning her heat in the Women's 100m and then taking a podium finish in the final. Photo: YouTube
EUGENE, Oregon, USA- Virgin Islands sprint phenom Adaejah T. Hodge made her Diamond League debut in an emphatic fashion in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, defeating American Sha'Carri L. Richardson en route to winning her heat in the Women's 100m and then taking a podium finish in the final.

The University of Georgia freshman, who recently landed an endorsement deal with Nike, found a late surge in the 100m final but was edged by reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (10.78) and 2023 World Champion Sha'Carri L. Richardson (10.79).

Hodge, who has run the fastest time in the Women's 100m this year, 10.63, clocked 10.80 for third place.

Superb performance

The Virgin Islands athlete was still able to take the scalps of Jamaica's Jonielle Smith, Shericka Jackson and Tina Clayton, the United States' Shawnti Jackson, Nigeria's Favour Ofili and Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith.

Earlier, Hodge edged out Richardson in heat one at Hayward Field, clocking 10.82 seconds (wind: -0.2) to hold off the hard-charging U.S. track and field superstar at 10.83. Hodge had made headlines at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, clocking a world lead of 10.63 to break Richardson's old collegiate record of 10.75. 

Jefferson-Wooden won the second heat yesterday in a time of 10.95.

Hodge, Jefferson-Wooden, and Richardson were the only athletes to go under 11 seconds in the heats.

13 Responses to “Adaejah T. Hodge places 3rd in Diamond League debut”

  • BVI BLESS UP (05/07/2026, 07:16) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    Girl, push through two more mornings and you will easily take down Sha’Carri and Melissa. Imagine you close the gap by .02 .Keep keeping on. You will be the best very soon.
  • ---------------------------------- (05/07/2026, 08:03) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    This lady going places
  • Wow! (05/07/2026, 08:42) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Congratulations to Ms. Hodge!

    Train hard. Work hard. Finish strong!
  • strategy (05/07/2026, 08:50) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Professional athletes know to make it over first or second for the heats.

    Save the energy and extra push for the real race.

    I knew Ms. Richardson would have come harder for the real race. This is nothing against Adaejah. I've been watching Ms. Richardson races and I see how she move.

    Stay ahead of who's ahead.

  • dog man (05/07/2026, 09:08) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    You got this, congratulations don't give up.
  • Adun (05/07/2026, 10:25) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    She should do much better in the 200
  • Hypocrisy (05/07/2026, 10:33) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply
    How comes we not tearing this person down like we do everyone else? Someone taken the happy pills.
    • @Hypocrisy (05/07/2026, 12:27) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Didn’t you see how many times they tore her down and up, but what significance is this either which way. All the haters behind her for a reason. Stop introducing negativity into the threads.

      Take a pill and go chill.
  • hmm! (05/07/2026, 10:38) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Strategy, You was never an Athlete you won't understand. Great performance 78,79,80 for a freshman. Damn that's all I have to say. Well done BVI against the world.
  • resident (05/07/2026, 11:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    They all reach the tape the same time as far as I see. And shes only just beginning. Think of how long people like SFP was in the business. Ms Hodge is going places and we are all happy and proud for her.
  • Nice. (05/07/2026, 11:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    That was a best of the beast race... She will get them, it's not over.
  • Pat sister (05/07/2026, 12:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The girl on the move yall
  • x (09/07/2026, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m thinking; she might be the one to finally break Flo Jo’s records. This is more than wishful thinking.


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