Mothers know best

To be standing here as world champion again after having my baby, I am elated.

SHELLY-ANN Fraser-Pryce claims her fourth 100-meter world title in style. AFP

DOHA, Qatar — Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce surged to an unprecedented fourth 100 meters crown and American legend Allyson Felix broke Usain Bolt’s gold medal record tally as the returning new mothers lit up the World Championships here Sunday.

Fraser-Pryce and Felix, both racing in their first major championships since taking time off from the sport to have children, lit up a pulsating Day 3 of competition even if the action was played inside a near-empty Khalifa Stadium.

The 32-year-old Fraser-Pryce, who skipped the 2017 championships to give birth to her first child, delivered a barnstorming run to take the 100-meter event with 10.71 seconds.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith took silver with a time of 10.83 seconds while Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou claimed bronze with 10.90 seconds.

“To be standing here as world champion again after having my baby, I am elated,” Fraser-Pryce said.

“The females keep showing up. We love to put on a performance and for me I am just really happy to come away with the win.”

Fraser-Pryce was in control from the gun, rocketing out of the blocks and taking the lead in the opening 20 meters.

From that point there was only going to be one winner, and the veteran Jamaican swept over the line majestically to add to the world titles won in 2009, 2013 and 2015 before setting off on a victory lap carrying her two-year-old son, Zyon.

The two-time Olympic champion’s dominant display was the highlight of Day 3 which also saw American track queen Felix win a record 12th World Championship gold medal.

Felix only returned to the sport in July after a 13-month layoff, which saw her give birth to her daughter Camryn by emergency C-section last November.

The 33-year-old, who failed to qualify for the individual 400-meter event in Doha, took gold in the 4×400-meter mixed relay as the United States motored to victory in a world-record time of three minutes and 09.34seconds.

Felix’s 12th gold medal broke Jamaican legend Bolt’s record tally of 11 World Championship gold medals.

Overall, Felix has an incredible 26 medals, a dazzling haul that also includes six Olympic golds.

Felix, competing in her ninth straight world championships, has accumulated more World Championship and Olympic honors than any other track and field athlete in history.

“So special, to have my daughter here watching means the world to me,” Felix said afterwards. “It’s been a crazy year for me.”

Felix later paid tribute to the support of Fraser-Pryce as she worked her way back to fitness this season.

“We’ve talked a lot this year and been there for each other,” Felix said.

“She’s been an amazing support. I’m just thrilled to see her back on top and better than ever, and I hope that is an inspiration to others. I know that she’s an inspiration to me.”