Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, the 21-year-old sprinter from Willesden, has described racing against the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as a humbling experience. She is preparing for her second appearance at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, a year after winning gold in the women's 4x100m in Guangzhou alongside Amy Hunt, Bianca Williams, and fellow newcomer Success Eduan.
A Memorable Debut
The World Relays hold a special place in Wedderburn-Goodison's heart as the event where she made her senior debut and competed against one of the greatest sprinters in history. Reflecting on her debut, she said: "It was really important for me that I was selected for this one, it's a great opportunity. Last year, it was my first time in the senior team, my debut, so this competition, I owe it a lot in my development. I'm really excited to be back here again."
Overcoming the Odds
The British team's victory was all the more impressive given they defeated a Jamaican squad featuring two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson, world 100m silver medallist Tia Clayton, and the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Wedderburn-Goodison noted: "I think it was an advantage to have my first senior competition as a relay. Technically, it's a team sport when it comes to this. There are no individual events on the timetable. There were three senior girls and three of us were making our debuts so it was important to learn from them, they were like big sisters in a way, they were very supportive. It was a really good time to make my debut, coming into a very positive, supportive environment."
She added: "I took a lot of confidence from last year. Seeing what is possible, it showed me the levels that you can be at. I think our relay skills played a big part in the success as well. On paper, looking at foot speed, you might think GB wouldn't win because your personal bests aren't as good. But the relay gelling was a really important factor in getting the win."
Racing a Legend
Wedderburn-Goodison recalled the surreal moment of competing against Fraser-Pryce: "It was really good. I wasn't stressed by it or put off. But I looked up and thought 'wow, I'm racing Shelly-Ann'. I respect Shelly-Ann a lot, so it was more humbling, I get to be in the same environment as her, the same forum as her. But it didn't throw me off or added extra nerves. I was just really happy to be there."
Continued Success
Following her World Relays triumph, Wedderburn-Goodison won silver in the 100m at the European U23 Championships in Bergen and another 4x100m gold with Eduan. In 2026, she received a major medal upgrade from the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, where she initially finished fourth in the 100m. That result was upgraded to bronze after Adaejah Hodge tested positive for a banned substance.
Describing the bittersweet feeling, she said: "Bittersweet is the perfect way to describe it. In the moment it would have been nice to have that and be on the podium. But it's still rewarding because I worked very hard towards that specific competition that year and I remember being very disappointed to miss out because fourth place is really frustrating. You can be happy to make the World Junior Final but getting the medal was definitely a big goal."
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