Sha’Carri Richardson's Slow Starts Spark Concern Ahead of Trials

Sha’Carri Richardson, known for her explosive starts and strong personality, is facing unexpected scrutiny after a recent training video surfaced online.

The reigning world champion and Team USA hopeful’s practice start, rather than showcasing her usual power, has sparked concern among fans and experts.

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Richardson’s 2025 season has been underwhelming so far. A fourth-place finish at the Golden Grand Prix in May (11.47 seconds) and ninth place at the Prefontaine Classic (11.19 seconds) are not indicative of her usual dominance.

While 11.19 is her fastest time this season, it's still far from her personal best.

After the Prefontaine Classic, Richardson told Olympics.com, “I prayed for a healthy race, and I got a healthy race. When I am 100 percent, there’s nothing that can really stop me but me.”

This statement now seems ironic in light of the recent video. The video, circulated on Reddit, shows Richardson’s start appearing significantly delayed compared to her training partners.

Her upright posture and lack of initial drive are unusual, especially at this point in her training.

While minor hesitations can occur in practice, the nature of this lapse has raised questions about whether her February injury is still affecting her performance or if a technical issue has developed.

A weak start at the trials could be detrimental, especially in a competitive field where fractions of a second matter.

Richardson's ability to perform under pressure has never been doubted, but the technical demands of the 100-meter block start are unforgiving.

The video quickly went viral, with fans flooding the comments section. Many expressed concerns about the lack of improvement in her start, suggesting that focusing on the indoor 60-meter dash might have helped develop her explosiveness.

Some fans pointed to her earlier injury as a possible explanation for her lack of power and upright posture, speculating that it might be affecting her more than she admits.

Others noted a change in her appearance, highlighting how different she seems compared to her usual commanding presence. This, combined with her performance, contributes to the perception that something is off.

More technical critiques compared her unfavorably to other athletes, emphasizing the importance of block efficiency and expressing doubts about her ability.

With the trials fast approaching, it remains to be seen if Richardson can address these concerns and regain her top form.