Kelly Doualla Makes History: U-20 World Bronze Medalist in the 100-Meter Dash

Italy’s youth track and field continues to shine at the Under-20 World Championships in Eugene, where Kelly Doualla has achieved a feat destined to go down in history. The sprinter from Lombardy won the bronze medal in the 100-meter dash, becoming the first Italian ever to stand on the world championship podium in this event at any level (senior, Under-20, or Under-18).

At just 16 years and 259 days old (the youngest of the nine finalists), Walter Monti’s protégée ran a flawless race at the decisive moment. After a stronger start than in previous rounds, Doualla built excellent momentum, managing to position herself behind the American Mia Maxwell and the Jamaican Shanoya Douglas and finishing ahead of the Swiss Xenia Buri, just as she had at the 2025 EYOF. Maxwell won gold in 11.14, Douglas took silver in 11.17, while the Italian athlete finished third in 11.27 with a near-still wind (-0.1).

The world bronze medal adds to an already extraordinary list of achievements. The Cus Pro Patria Milano athlete, who lives in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, has already won the European Under-20 titles in the 100-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay in 2025, the European Under-18 gold in Rieti in 2026, as well as two golds at the 2025 EYOF. Her personal best of 11.14 also stands as the European Under-18 record, the Italian Under-18 and Under-20 records, and the second-fastest time ever recorded in Italy, behind only Zaynab Dosso.

After the final, Doualla described the emotions she felt before and after the race. “I have to admit that I was really anxious before the race. Not just today: Walter and Marco (coach Monti and physical therapist Tabone) had to put up with an anxious Kelly they hadn’t seen in a long time—and whom I hadn’t seen myself since before Rieti. Once I got to the starting blocks, I decided to fight that Kelly and send her away. At the finish line, I thought that other Kelly had won, but no: my fears melted away when I saw I was third, and I think that showed in my scream after realizing I’d won a medal.”