The fastest woman in the world
Sha’Carri Richardson has made history by becoming the fastest woman in the world, winning the 100-meter final at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary. The 23-year-old American sprinter clocked a stunning time of 10.65 seconds, breaking the previous world record of 10.49 seconds set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988. Richardson celebrated her victory with a roar and a hug from her grandmother, who has been her biggest supporter throughout her career.
The secret behind her speed
One of the factors that contributed to Richardson’s phenomenal performance was her choice of footwear. She wore Nike’s Air Zoom Victory track and field distance spikes, which are designed for 800- to 5,000-meter races. However, Richardson proved that these spikes can also work wonders for short-distance sprints, thanks to their innovative features.
The Air Zoom Victory spikes have a snappy ZoomX foam in the heel, which absorbs impact and springs the runner forward. They also have a carbon fiber plate that enhances energy return and reduces the effort required to rebound into the next stride. The upper part of the spikes is made of AtomKnit, a lightweight and breathable material that fits like a sock. The outsole has removable spikes that are strategically placed for optimal stability and traction on the track.
A comeback story
Richardson’s triumph was not only a result of her talent and training, but also of her resilience and determination. She had faced several challenges in the past year, including the death of her biological mother, a failed drug test that disqualified her from the Tokyo Olympics, and a hamstring injury that sidelined her for several weeks. Despite these setbacks, she never gave up on her dreams and continued to work hard to improve herself.
She returned to the track in April 2023, winning her first race of the season at the Miramar Invitational in Florida with a time of 10.57 seconds (10.77 seconds with wind time). She then qualified for the World Athletics Championship by winning the US trials in June with a time of 10.86 seconds. She faced tough competition from Jamaican sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, who had won gold and silver medals respectively at the Tokyo Olympics. However, Richardson proved that she was unbeatable by outrunning them all and setting a new world record.
A role model for many
Richardson’s success has earned her praise and admiration from fans and sponsors alike. She has been featured on the cover of US Vogue magazine, which dubbed her as “the Flo-Jo of our time”, referring to her idol Florence Griffith-Joyner. She has also attracted more than a million followers on Instagram, where she shares her personal and professional life with her supporters.
Richardson has said that she wants to inspire the black community and show them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. She has also expressed her gratitude to her family, especially her grandmother, who raised her since she was a child. She has dedicated her victory to them, saying: “Without them, there would be no me. Without my grandmother, there would be no Sha’carri Richardson.”
