Sha’Carri Richardson Wins Her First U.S.100M Title, Headed To World Championships

She came to win!

Sha’Carri Richardson was just 21-years-old when she was catapulted to international fame, making history as the sixth-fastest woman in the world and returning later that year to secure her spot in the Tokyo Olympics. However, her career highs were met by personal lows, Richardson facing an unimaginable tragedy that would eventually lead to her being disqualified from competing in the 2021 Olympics. Now, after two years of personal and professional growth, the fierce, unapologetic superstar is back to claim everything that was once lost. 

This past weekend at the 2023 U.S. Track and Field Championships, Richardson returned to the track, Yahoo! Sports reports. Just before taking off, she removed her signature orange wig to reveal braids underneath, a nod to the old her who stood on that same track just a few years prior. She then did what needed to be done, clocking in an impressive 10.82 seconds in the 100-meter and earning her first U.S. 100 meter title. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t even Richardson’s best time, the sprinter previously recording a 10.71 in the preliminaries, a personal best and at the time a world lead, Olympics.com reports.

She returned to the track the following day and showed out again in the women’s 200 meter, clocking in at 21.61, the fastest time across all four heats. At just 23-years-old, Richardson has proven to the world that she’s just as great, if not better than she was two years ago. More importantly, she’s ready to represent her country well and has now earned a spot in next month’s World Championships in Budapest, which will be her first global meet. 

“I’m ready mentally, physically and emotionally. I’m not back, I’m better,” said Richardson. 

Congratulations Sha’Carri! Take it all in stride!

Cover photo: Sha’Carri Richardson wins her first U.S. 100M title, headed to World Championships/Photo Courtesy of Ashley Landis/Associated Press