Five-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has made the decision to part ways with her coach, Reynaldo Walcott, after four years of working together.

The news of the split has come as a surprise to many in the athletics world, particularly after the success the pair achieved during their time together.

However, a series of injuries and a reportedly strained relationship are said to have contributed to Fraser-Pryce’s decision to move on.

While the specifics surrounding her next steps remain unclear, Jamaican journalist Richardo Chambers reported that Fraser-Pryce is “putting together a new coach unit” but has yet to reveal the identity of her new coaching team.

Fraser-Pryce, 37, has been a key figure at Elite Performance Track Club, which she helped found alongside Walcott in early 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his guidance, she experienced remarkable success, improving her personal best from 10.70 seconds to 10.60 seconds in the 100 meters.

Her crowning achievement came in 2022 when she became the first woman to run sub-10.7 seconds seven times in a single season, securing her fifth 100m world title at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

However, since that remarkable 2022 season, injuries have hampered Fraser-Pryce’s progress.

In 2023, she managed a third-place finish at the World Championships in Budapest, a notable decline from her dominant performances of previous years.

Fraser-Pryce had been a founding member of the Elite Performance Track Club, partnering with Walcott in early 2020 amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their collaboration yielded remarkable success, including the sprint queen lowering her personal best from 10.70 to an astounding 10.60 seconds.

Her decision to leave Walcott also comes amid reports of tension between the two during the 2024 season.

A “frosty relationship” reportedly developed, making it difficult for the pair to continue working together.

Despite these setbacks, Fraser-Pryce’s determination to continue competing remains steadfast, with the sprint icon still eyeing a strong finish to her career.

The decision to split from Walcott may also be influenced by her desire to regain her top form as she navigates the latter stages of her career.

Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal from the 2024 Olympic semifinals just moments before she was scheduled to race against American star Sha’Carri Richardson and St. Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred, was particularly tough for her fans.