Trailblazing Sha'Carri Richardson ends Jamaica's reign in women's 100m with stunning victory in Budapest

© Eric Barasa

Trailblazing Sha'Carri Richardson ends Jamaica's reign in women's 100m with stunning victory in Budapest

Abigael Wafula 21:04 - 21.08.2023

It was a surprise win for Richardson since she only sneaked to the final after finishing third in the semi-final.

National champion Sha’Carri Richardson is the new World 100m champion after obliterating a strong field at the ongoing World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Richardson had a slow start off the blocks but picked up in the last 60m to the finish line and won in 10.65.

The Jamaican duo of Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce finished second and third in respective times of 10.72 and 10.77 respectively. Fraser-Pryce had gone into the race with the hope of winning her sixth world title but unfortunately did not achieve her target. 

However, she started her season late due to an injury setback and had only competed in two 100m races before going for her title defense campaign. She won her preliminary round and the semi-final but during the final, tables turned. 

Jackson was also looking forward to bagging a gold medal but was forced to settle for second place. It was a surprise win for Richardson since she only sneaked to the final after finishing third in the semi-final. 

Meanwhile, during the semifinal, Heat One was dominated by Fraser-Pryce who clocked 10.89 to cross the finish line first. 20-year-old Tamari Davis finished second behind the Jamaican and clocked 10.98 as Poland’s Ewa Swoboda finished third in 11.01.

In Heat Two, Jackson carried the day as she clocked 10.79 to cross the line ahead of Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Talou who finished second in 10.79. Richardson sealed the podium in a time of 10.84, still a fast time as compared to the first Heat.

Heat Three saw Saint Lucian’s Julien Alfred take top honours in 10.92 as USA’s Brittany Brown finished second (10.97). Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith completed the podium in a time of 11.01.