(News4usonline) – American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has officially redeemed herself for Team USA. Richardson smoked the two top Jamaican sprinters to win the women’s 100 meters at the Track and Field World Championships (World Athletics Championships Budapest 23) in Budapest, Hungry.
Two years after suffering a humiliating suspension from qualifying for the 2021 Olympics following testing positive for a banned substance, Richardson is on the top of the world after clocking a super-fast 10.65 seconds to beat out Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.
Jackson, who finished second to Richardson with a time of 10.72, was ranked as the top female sprinter in both 100 and 200 meters coming into the meet, according to World Athletics. Before the competition began in the 100 meters, Jackson was asked if she felt like an underdog in the race.
“Definitely not. I believe I’m among the best and I’ve been working hard so there’s no pressure for me,” Jackson said.
It’s not surprising that Richardson and Jackson went down to the wire to decide who would come out on top. Going into the final, Jackson nipped Richardson in the second 100-meter heat, clocking a swift 10.79. Richardson was on Jackson’s heels with a time of 10.84.
In many ways, Richardson’s win was a monumental upset. At the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Fraser Pryce led a Jamaican sweep in the women’s 100 meters. Jackson was second, while fellow Jamaican sprinter, Elaine Thompson-Herah took third while the Americans were shut out of the top three finishes.
It’s a much different outcome this time around. After falling behind the Jamaican stars early in the race, Richardson, in Lane 9, came on with a late push to nudge Jackson at the tape. Richardson, Fraser-Price, and Jackson will tangle again in the 200. For at least a year, though, Richardson will be acknowledged as the “Fastest Woman in the World.”
Top Image Caption: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – AUGUST 21: Sha’Carri Richardson of Team United States celebrates winning the Women’s 100m Final during day three of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 21, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for World Athletics)
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com