Sha’Carri Richardson exorcised her demons on Friday night, bouncing back from a poor start to claim victory in the Women’s 100m final at the US Championships in a time of 10.82.
READ: Shericka Jackson Shatters Records with World-Leading Time at Jamaica Track and Field Championships
At the starting line, Richardson confidently discarded her wig, symbolizing her readiness for the race.
Tamari Davis had the strongest start, but Richardson surged past everyone midway through the race, securing the lead and bringing Brittany Brown along for a second-place finish with a time of 10.90. Davis managed to hold on for third place with a time of 10.99.
“I’m not back, I’m better,” Richardson declared.
While technically accurate, these trials and the current season mark a significant redemption arc for Richardson, who had a personal best of 10.72 prior to 2023.
After missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, Richardson ended 2021 with a disappointing last-place finish of 11.3 at the Prefontaine Classic.
In 2022, she failed to qualify for another US team, unable to advance beyond the opening rounds in both the 100m and 200m events.
However, this season shows signs of a positive turnaround for Richardson.
She has been competing against world-leading athletes such as Ivorian Marie Jose Ta Lou and Jamaican Shericka Jackson, who won the trials with a new world-leading time of 10.65.
Richardson, currently holding the second-fastest time in the world this year with her new personal best of 10.71 in the preliminary rounds and a time of 10.75 in the semifinals, is undoubtedly one of the top contenders for both the USA’s team and the upcoming Budapest event, and she has so far delivered on that promise.
“I’m mentally, physically, and emotionally ready, and I’m here to stay,” said Richardson.
