Sha’Carri Richardson puts world on notice with 100 meter title
Written by JAMM on July 8, 2023
Sha’Carri Richardson made an emphatic statement Friday night at the USA Track and Field championships, flying to a win in the women’s 100 at Hayward Field with a 10.82, finishing strong despite a slow start.
The win capped an impressive 30 hours for the 23-year-old Richardson, who ran a personal best — and then-world leading, for just about 24 hours — 10.71 in the first round, and easily won her semi earlier Friday evening with a time of 10.75 seconds. With the win, Richardson qualifies for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, which will be held Aug. 19-27. She is seeking her first world title.
After being introduced to the crowd, Richardson dramatically shed her bright orange wig, tossing it to the track and revealing long braids as the crowd “oohed.” The braids were shaped into a star just over her right ear, a reminder to everyone of her place in the sport.
After crossing the finish line, Richardson took a victory lap with a fierce glare across her face. But she smiled when she climbed into the stands to hug her family, and as she posed for photos with fans. “I’m ready, mentally, physically and emotionally. And I’m here to stay. I’m not back, I’m better.”
It’s been a stellar season so far for Richardson, who is obviously in top form. In April she ran a wind-aided 10.57 at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, the fourth-fastest all-conditions time ever recorded; the next month in Doha, Qatar, she tallied her first Diamond League win.
