Sha’Carri Richardson took to the track Monday (August 21) at the World Athletic Championships with the odds stacked against her and everyone seemingly counting her out. The Dallas native shocked everyone but herself by not only winning the gold medal in the 100-meter race but also setting a championship record in the process.
As NBC Sports reported, Sha’Carri Richardson, 23, faced off against favorites Jamaicans Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in her first world championship race. The pressure she undoubtedly endured was hardly present as a focused but loose Richardson was the first one to take the field and enter her outside lane.
As the commentators kept hammering home, Richardson needed to have an almost perfect start to have a chance. Even with everything going as planned, it was clear from the commentary that Jackson or Fraser-Pryce were the expected winners as the Jamaican team is typically dominant in this event.
History and records aside, Richardson beat the field, coming in at 10.65 seconds. Jackson earned a silver medal with a time of 10.72, and Fraser-Pryce won bronze with a time of 10.77. With this win, Richardson is the world’s fastest woman on the track and field scene.
Sha'Carri Richardson is a WORLD CHAMPION in the 100m!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/Mx3mxv5UzL
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 21, 2023
After crossing the finish line, Richardson reacted in disbelief and appeared to be in shock. When the moment was confirmed on overheard screens and on the track, Richardson finally allowed herself to take an American flag, draped herself in the flag and celebrated with glee.
The epic win comes two years after Richardson was hit with a positive marijuana test disqualification for her Olympic Trials 100m win. From there, it was a slow climb back into the good graces of the track and field community but Richardson doesn’t seem to desire the world’s adoration after betting on herself. In her post-race commentary, Richardson once again repeated that she isn’t racing for the world’s approval and that the support of her family is all she needs.
Amen to that.
Congratulations to Sha’Carri Richardson on the big win. Keep scrolling to watch the race and read reactions from X, formerly known as Twitter.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Shelly: “You know how long USA nuh get ah gold medal?!
Sha’Carri: “Because of you. Bcuz of u” pic.twitter.com/HExwGW6fkX
— King Kai (@_thisisib) August 21, 2023
2.
"No, thank you!"
Sha'Carri didn't stop to talk to ANY of the media, saying, "No, thank you!" She ONLY stopped to talk to these black journalists! #NoThankYou #ShaCarri pic.twitter.com/9MEI9myLUP
— Unconventional Voices of Track & Field (@VoicesofTnF) August 21, 2023
3.
Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles score a U.S. #WorldAthleticsChamps 100m sweep for the first time since 2017! pic.twitter.com/JSkeFI3rXL
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 21, 2023
4.
An unforgettable moment for Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson. #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/9XvQzf5ZEP
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 21, 2023
5.
SHA’CARRI IS THAT GIRL #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/LbRq38reqO
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 21, 2023
6.
CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
's Sha'Carri Richardson storms to golden 100m glory in 10.65 #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/BzwBG0MINR
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 21, 2023
7.
Sha'Carri Richardson is your 100 Meter 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 in her 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 Worlds' appearance!!!
10.65 seconds (PR!!!)#GeauxTigers | Peacock/USA Network pic.twitter.com/pfoLrZquj9
— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) August 21, 2023
8.
The moment Sha’Carri Richardson became the fastest woman in the world #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/IkfltVsenT
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 21, 2023
9.
I am so happy for Sha’Carri her redemption story gonna be AMAZING. pic.twitter.com/jM0gNjqZpr
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) August 21, 2023
10.
Jamaicans apologizing to Sha’Carri#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/UsarbQ7FZa
— Jev from STREAM (@JevJournalist_) August 21, 2023
11.
Talk to her nice. She did it!!!
Sha’Carri Richardson, wins world 100m championship in record time.
She overcame so much to get here. Everyone knows the story.
Let this be a Lesson. pic.twitter.com/GBLepguWZw
— Al (@AlTheAdjuster) August 21, 2023
12.
In a world that is brutal and unforgiving, learn how to speak life into our black women.
Our 100m World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson finally made it happen.
To those who doubted and slandered her name, understand that NOTHING stops God from His plans!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/ZRbFwnjkRP
— Katelyn (@kxnaomi) August 21, 2023
13.
Sha’Carri Richardson just beat one of the most decorated Women’s 100m fields of all time to become a World Champion. Doubted all year. Barely made the final. BUT DELIVERED a personal best and CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD when it matter most. Her haters are in shambles. @itskerrii pic.twitter.com/KFX4qxkFOf
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 21, 2023