She is that girl!
In the face of adversity, Sha’Carri Richardson dominated the 100-meter and is headed to the Tokyo Olympics, Yahoo! Sports reports.
Richardson has become a household name this season, winning the hearts of fans with her unapologetic style, passion, and raw talent. The track star went pro after her freshman year at LSU, winning the 2019 NCAA title that same year and eventually landing a deal with Nike. This past April, she made history as the sixth-fastest woman in the world, clocking in at 10.72 seconds at the Miramar Invitational.
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Now, the 21-year-old has crushed the recent 100-meter with a time of 10.86 seconds, securing her spot in the Tokyo Olympics. After the impressive performance, Richardson rushed into the stands to embrace her family and grandmother. When speaking to reporters about the heartwarming moment, Richardson revealed that her biological mother had passed away last week.
This is incredibly sweet
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“My family has kept me grounded. This year has been crazy for me. Going from just last week, losing my biological mother, and I’m still here,” Richardson said.
The anchor was taken aback and asked Richardson to repeat herself.
“I’m still here. Last week, finding out my biological mother passed away, and I’m still choosing to pursue my dreams, still coming out here, still here to make the family that I do have on this Earth proud. And the fact that nobody knows what I go through. Everybody has struggles, and I understand that, but y’all see me on this track, and y’all see the poker face I put on. But nobody but them and my coach knows what I go through on a day-to-day basis,” Richardson said while pointing towards her family in the audience.
“And [I’m] highly grateful to them. Without them, there would be no me. Without my grandmother, there would be no Sha’carri Richardson. So my family is my everything. My everything until the day I’m done,” Richardson added.
“I’m highly blessed and grateful… My family is my everything. My everything until the day I’m done.”
Sha’Carri Richardson with so many emotions after earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/8ujBpBSwVC
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Richardson has been compared to Florence Griffith Joyner due to her style and athleticism. The Olympic bound track star is not afraid to express herself with bright hair, long nails, and a confidence that you can feel through the screen.
“My girlfriend actually picked my color,” Richardson told USA Today. “She said it like spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant, and that’s who I am.”
The nails.
The hair.
The attitude.
The speed.It’s all @itskerrii and she’s off to to the 100m final tonight on NBC. #TrackFieldTrials21 pic.twitter.com/kPWgSCeSUT
advertisement— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 20, 2021
The young track star’s goal is to make history as the first American to win gold at the 100 meters since Gail Devers’ accomplishment in 1996.
Congratulations, Sha’Carri! We love watching you shine!
Photo Courtesy of Steph Chambers/Getty Images