Olympic 100m silver medallist Sha’Carri Richardson had a lackluster start to her outdoor season on Sunday, finishing fourth in the women’s 100m at the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo. Clocking in at 11.47 seconds, Richardson fell short of expectations just four months ahead of the World Athletics Championships, which will be held in the same stadium in September.
The American sprint star, who appeared to be dealing with a minor injury—evidenced by strapping on her lower right leg—was slow off the blocks and never managed to recover. The race was won by Australia’s Bree Rizzo in 11.38 seconds, followed by American Twanisha Terry (11.42) and Canada’s Sade McCreath (11.46).
For Richardson, it was a disappointing result in what was expected to be a confidence-building performance. The Tokyo meet, considered a key early-season test, instead raised questions about her current form and fitness ahead of her world title defense.
Sha’Carri Faces Early Hurdles in 2024 Campaign
As the reigning world 100m champion, Sha’Carri entered 2024 with high expectations following her electrifying performances last year. However, Sunday’s result marks a slow start to her competitive calendar, leaving fans and analysts wondering if she can regain top speed in time for major championship season.
Richardson, known for her explosive starts and dominant sprinting style, seemed unusually subdued on the track. Her reaction time off the blocks lagged behind the field, and she never appeared to hit full stride during the race.
Despite the result, Richardson did not offer public comments after the race, but her body language suggested frustration. Given her impressive comeback story in 2023, it would be unwise to count her out just yet. Sprinters often take time to find rhythm, particularly in early-season races.
While much of the attention was on Richardson, it was Bree Rizzo who stole the show. The Australian sprinter expressed excitement about her performance and the opportunity to race against some of the world’s best.
“It’s a season-opener for those athletes, and they’ll be very, very strong come the world championships,” said Rizzo. “I really look up to those athletes, so to come out on top was pretty exciting for an Australian athlete.”
Rizzo’s victory in Tokyo adds to her growing international résumé and sets her up as a potential dark horse for the Paris Olympics and World Championships.
Sha’Carri’s training partner and boyfriend, Christian Coleman, also had a subdued outing in Tokyo. The 2019 100m world champion finished third in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.11 seconds. The race was won by Japan’s Hiroki Yanagita in 10.06 seconds, followed by American Christian Miller in 10.08.
“Each race, every opportunity I have is more of a mental, internal battle for me to get better,” said Coleman. “I felt some good things today and I want to just keep getting better at it.”
Other Highlights from the Golden Grand Prix Tokyo
The meet featured several notable performances across various disciplines:
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Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine, the reigning world and Olympic high jump champion, claimed victory with a clearance of 1.96 meters. Although far from her personal best and world-leading 2.10m, Mahuchikh appeared content with her effort, citing her current fitness level.
“Of course the result is not great, but I’m happy with it because my body is not ready to jump high today,” she said.
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In the women’s javelin, Japan’s own Haruka Kitaguchi triumphed with a strong throw of 64.16 meters, reinforcing her dominance on home soil.
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The men’s 200m saw Robert Gregory of the USA take first place in 20.24 seconds, narrowly beating Canadian Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, who clocked 20.36.
De Grasse, who won Olympic gold at the same stadium during the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, looked relaxed in his season opener, showing promise for future races.
Despite a rocky start, Sha’Carri Richardson remains one of the most exciting talents in track and field. Her story of resilience and raw speed has captivated audiences globally, and with time still on her side, she’ll be looking to peak when it matters most.
As the countdown begins toward Paris 2024 and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Richardson’s fans will be hoping this early stumble is just part of her season’s buildup—and not a sign of deeper struggles.
Source- EWN