The American beat off two Jamaican rivals, including legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a five-time winner over the distance and bronze medallist.
American Sha’Carri Richardson was crowned world champion in the 100 m, at the age of 23, ahead of two Jamaicans, Shericka Jackson and defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in Budapest on Monday.
Richardson won in 10 sec 65 (wind: -0.2 m/s) thanks to a strong finish in lane 9, ahead of Jackson (10.72) and Fraser-Pryce (10.77). The whimsical American was competing in her first major championships, having been suspended for a positive cannabis test prior to the 2021 Olympics and having failed to qualify for the 2022 Worlds on American soil, in personal and sporting difficulty.
Eight wins in nine races
Richardson confirms her return to the limelight in the most brilliant fashion after two years on the sidelines. It’s not so much a surprise in view of the summer season: prior to Budapest, the Texan sprinter had won eight of the nine 100 m she had run (including heats), and had four of the seven fastest times of the season.
10.65 championship record ????
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 21, 2023
Sha'Carri Richardson is your 100m world champion ????#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/pD6dJSPMID
Five-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion in the straight, Fraser-Pryce is dethroned but, at 36, she nonetheless obtains the sixth world medal of her career in the queen race, the fifteenth overall, in a season launched very late, only a month ago, due to a recalcitrant knee. Jackson, this year’s fastest runner before the final (10.65), takes silver as she did in 2022.