Sha’Carri Richardson is back and once again setting records. The track star ran a world-leading time of 10.71 seconds to win the first of four heats in the women’s 100 meters at the 2023 U.S. Track and Field Championships on Thursday.
Sha’Carri Richardson On the Track
The time Richardson set is also a personal best for her. Brittany Brown secured second place overall with a time of 10.96, also marking a personal best. Third place went to Tamara Clark, finishing with a time of 11.02.
“What she just did in the first round, she’s the favorite,” NBC track and field analyst Ato Boldon said to USA TODAY Sports. “That 10.71 that she just ran is a personal-best. It looks like if the wind cooperates (Friday) she could run a 10.5 here.”
So far this season, Richardson has proven her talents by consistently finishing under 11 seconds. Earlier this year, she ran the fourth fastest time in history in the women’s 100m at the Miramar Invitational meet in April. She came in at 10.57 seconds, although that time is ineligible for records. Additionally, she recorded a time of 10.76 at the Doha Diamond League in May, which currently stands as the third fastest time in the world.
The U.S. championships, which run through Sunday, also serve as the U.S. trials for the upcoming World Championships. The semi-finals and finals in the women’s 100m are set for Friday evening. Richardson is looking to secure a spot on the U.S. national team and a chance to compete for her first-ever world title.
Back in 2021, her chances of receiving a world title were only a few steps away. That is until Richardson was suspended for one month. The young athlete tested positive for marijuana after the U.S. track and field Olympic trials and didn’t compete in the Tokyo Olympics that year.