American Richardson claims world gold in women's 100m
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[August 22, 2023]
By Mitch Phillips
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Sha'Carri Richardson finally delivered on three
years of promise when the American overcame the challenge of being
stuck out in lane nine by delivering a late surge to win world 100
meters gold in a championship record 10.65 seconds on Monday.
The 23-year-old Richardson came through in the last 20 meters to
overhaul Jamaica's Shericka Jackson, who took silver in 10.72, and
claim her first global title.
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, seeking a remarkable sixth world
100m title at the age of 36 after an injury-hit season, had to
settle for bronze in 10.77, her best of the year.
Richardson missed the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive
for cannabis then failed to qualify for last year's worlds on home
soil in Eugene.
Hugely popular on social media, and always an outspoken and
colorfully attired competitor, she was in good form despite Jackson,
who won world silver in Eugene last year, having the fastest time of
10.65 coming into Budapest.
However, Richardson's global championship struggles looked to be
continuing when she was left in the blocks in the semi-finals
earlier on Monday and the American had to dig desperately deep to
finish third and scrape into the final as a fast loser.
That came with the consequence that she was given lane nine - never
popular with sprinters - but she had a far better start in the final
and maintained her focus away from the traffic.
Jackson, in lane four, had opened a clear gap and was still ahead at
80 metres before Richardson swept through and raised her arm in
triumph. Her time matched Jackson's 2023 best and bettered
Fraser-Pryce's 2022 championship record of 10.67.
In a spiky post-race press conference Richardson snapped at
journalists asking about her poor semi-final start or her previous
championship misses.
"In previous interviews I mentioned that I'm not back, I'm better.
I'm going to stay humble, I'm not back, I'm better and I'm going to
continue to be better," she said.
"Never give up never allow media or outsiders to define who you are.
Always fight. This journey for me since I became a professional is,
no matter what happens, you never leave sight or yourself.
"You'll have good days and bad days but you always have tomorrow."
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Athletics - World Athletics Championship
- Women's 100m Final - National Athletics Centre, Budapest, Hungary
- August 21, 2023 Sha'carri Richardson of the U.S. celebrates with
the gold medal after winning the Women's 100m REUTERS/Kai
Pfaffenbach
Richardson is the first U.S. winner of the women's
100 since the triumph in 2017 of Tori Bowie, who died this year aged
32.
MASSIVE TALENT
Coming after Noah Lyles's victory in the men's race on Sunday, the
U.S. is firmly back on top of the sprinting mountain after so long
playing second-fiddle to Jamaica.
"This is incredibly important because so much has been made of
Richardson," said American former 200 and 400 metres champion
Michael Johnson.
"She's a massive talent. She didn't make the team in Doha and then
came back in 2021 and won the trials. Everyone knew who she was
after the ban.
"She's very authentic, she doesn't make excuses. Some people love to
love it and some people love to hate it. I think it's great for the
sport because she has a personality that is unmatched."
Fraser-Pryce was phlegmatic about her bronze. "Given the
circumstances of how I started the season - not bad," she said.
"Being a champion is not all about winning. I'm grateful to have
another medal to add to the tally. I won't be running the 200, I'll
rest for the 4x100 relay."
It was another frustrating night for Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory
Coast, who has been in superb form in the Diamond League this season
but had to settle for another fourth place in 10.81 having twice
finished fourth in Olympic 100m finals.
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ken Ferris)
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