Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith went all the way to the Caribbean to find love and Pulse Sports lets you into the man who stole the heart of Africa’s fastest woman.
Africa’s fastest woman Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith is one of the world’s top sprinters thanks to her success on the continent and around the world.
The Ivorian sprinter had been going by the name Marie-Josee Ta Lou until late 2023 when she included the name Smith.
This was following her marriage to her husband J Smith in November 2023 and since then, the couple have been inseparable.
While Mr Smith has been by the side of his famous wife, not much is known about him, and Pulse Sports digs deeper to tell you what you should know about the man who stole Marie-Josee Ta Lou’s heart.
Who is Africa’s fastest woman Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith’s Trinidadian husband?
Who is Marie-Josee Ta Lou’s husband?
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith’s husband J Smith lives in the US. Photo/Ta Lou-Smith Facebook
Marie-Josee Ta Lou went all the way to the Caribbean to find love as her husband J Smith comes from Trinidad and Tobago.
How did Marie-Josee Ta Lou & J Smith meet?
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Marie Jose Ta Lou-Smith and her husband J. Smith. Photo Credit – @majotalou via Instagram
The two met years ago but kept their relationship private. Marie-Josee Ta Lou had been featuring in various events around the world but it is believed they met either in the United States, where he is based, or in one of the Caribbean nations during her competitions.
What does J Smith do?
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J Smith lives and works in the US. Photo/Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith Facebook
J Smith is a Trinidadian businessman who works and lives in the United States.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou & J Smith’s wedding
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Marie-Josee Ta Lou saying yes to Mr Smith at their wedding ceremony. Photo Credit – @majotalou / Instagram
The couple first had a traditional wedding in the Ivory Coast on November 16, 2023 when J Smith travelled to Africa to begin the process of making the sprinter his wife. Two days later, they had a civil wedding in the same African nation when their friends and family joined them to celebrate the occasion.
The weddings showcased their mixed cultures, the coupe going with an Afro-Caribbean theme in the makeup and dressing for the occasion. That was after they had a pre-wedding shoot on October 29 that year when they donned traditional attire.
When did Marie-Josee Ta Lou change name?
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Marie-Josee Ta Lou changed names in November 2023. Photo Credit – @majotalou / Instagram
Shortly after getting married to the love of her life, the sprinter changed her official name to read Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, adopting her husband’s surname.
J Smith, key support system for Ta Lou-Smith
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J Smith attends various events to support Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith. Photo/Ta Lou-Smith Facebook
J Smith has always been there for his wife, attending various athletics events to cheer and also offer her a shoulder to cry on when she experiences difficulties on the track like at the Paris 2024 Olympics when she suffered an injury in the 100m final.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith’s Career
Ta Lou-Smith after winning the women’s 100m event at the ATHLOS meet in New York.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith is the African record holder and has the eighth fastest 100m time in history, being the 10.72 seconds, that she recorded in Monaco in August 2022.
The 36-year-old is a three-time African champion and has two World Championships silver medals and one bronze as well as a number of Diamond League race wins under her belt.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith has featured in three Olympics Games, her best results being fourth place in both 200m and 100m, and won the 100m at the inaugural Athlos women’s-only event in September 2024 to walk away with the $60,000 winner’s prize.
