Sha‘Carri Richardson, running 10.75s in 2019, broke 100m NCAA record as LSU freshman. She is one of the most electrifying young sprinters in track and field history. As her dedicated fan, let me share with you why I‘m so excited about this talented athlete‘s brilliant career.
Richardson‘s Rise to Stardom
Born in Dallas, Texas, Sha‘Carri showed blazing speed from a young age. She won multiple high school state titles in the 100m and 200m sprints. But her career really took off when she joined LSU for college. As just a freshman in 2019, she stunned the track world by running 10.75 seconds in the 100m at the NCAA Championships. That shattered both the collegiate and meet record in dramatic fashion.
Since then, Sha‘Carri has continued breaking records and racking up titles. She‘s the NCAA 60m indoor champion, the USA 100m champion, and most incredibly, the 100m World Champion. Her gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar made her the youngest woman ever to win that marquee global title. Basically, she‘s achieved more by age 21 than most sprinters do in their whole career!
Why Richardson is So Special
Aside from her obvious athletic gifts, here‘s what makes Sha‘Carri Richardson so unique:
Her Bold Style: With her long colorful nails, tattoos, sunglasses, and signature flowing hair, Sha‘Carri rocks a look all her own. She draws inspiration from track legend Florence Griffith Joyner. And her flair allows her vibrant personality to shine.
Her Underdog Mentality: Despite her success now, Sha‘Carri overcame major adversity growing up. She uses her platform to inspire others with her message to keep believing no matter what.
Her Blazing Speed: Clocking personal bests of 10.72 seconds in the 100m and 21.98 in the 200m, Sha‘Carri possesses world class speed. She combines rapid acceleration with beautiful long strides.
Her Fun-Loving Charisma: Richardson emits an infectious joy whether joking with rivals, dancing before races, or playfully talking trash. Her charisma makes her a fan favorite.
Her Championship Pedigree: Few sprinters in history have achieved as much as Sha‘Carri at just 21 years old. She has repeatedly dominated on the biggest stages, showing the poise of a veteran.
Notable Career Highlights
- 10.75s NCAA 100m record
- 2019 USA Outdoor 100m champion
- 2019 World Championship 100m gold
- 2020 NCAA 60m indoor champion
- 2021 US Olympic Trials 100m winner
- 3-time national record holder
- 2019 IAAF World Athlete of the Year finalist
Richardson‘s Quest for Olympic Glory
After dominating the 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Sha‘Carri Richardson headed to Tokyo as the favorite for gold. Though she was unable to compete in the 100m due to a suspension, I know she will emerge from this stronger and faster than ever. Her sights remain firmly set on Paris 2024 and proving she‘s the best women‘s sprinter in the world. Go Sha‘Carri!
There are so many reasons to cheer for this amazing young athlete and inspirational woman. Here are just a few:
A) She‘s an Incredible Role Model
Despite facing major adversity growing up, Sha‘Carri remains humble and gracious. She serves as a role model by showing that hard work pays off and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Richardson takes time to speak with young fans and share her message of determination. What an inspiration!
B) Her Elite Talent Is Unmatched
Simply put, no other current female sprinter can match Richardson‘s raw speed and athletic gifts. At just 21, she is already ranked #1 in the world with lifetime bests that rival Florence Griffith Joyner. As her technique continues to improve, she has the talent to break records and cement her status as the next sprint queen.
C) Her Vibrant Personality Shines
From her colorful hair to her nails to her infectious smile, everything about Sha‘Carri radiates joy and self-confidence. She expresses herself fully and encourages young fans to be their authentic selves. Richardson brings much-needed diversity and flair to the often stuffy track world.
- She was given the nickname "that girl" by her grandmother as a child. Richardson has a large tattoo of the moniker on her right arm.
- She competed in both track and volleyball at Dallas Skyline high school, earning district MVP honors in volleyball her senior year.
- Sha‘Carri‘s biological mother passed away when she was just 17 years old. She credits her grandmother who raised her with giving her strength.
- She splurged on a pair of $500 hair extensions to look good at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships. There she broke the collegiate 100m record.
- Sha‘Carri‘s Instagram name @carririchardson_ stands for "Carries Richardson to success." She created it to remind herself to carry her family with her.
At just 21 years old, Sha‘Carri Richardson has already achieved more in track and field than some athletes do in their entire careers. But incredibly, she seems to just be getting started. If she can stay healthy and keep improving, I have no doubt Sha‘Carri can:
- Break Florence Griffith Joyner‘s revered 100m world record
- Win Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay
- Become the biggest superstar in women‘s track and field
No matter what, this down-to-earth, determined, fearlessly authentic young woman has already cemented her status as an icon. I feel so privileged to be able to witness Sha‘Carri Richardson‘s historic career as it unfolds. She is proof that hard work and self-belief can make your wildest dreams come true. The future couldn‘t be brighter for this budding track and field legend!