Sha’Carri Richardson is on cloud nine at the moment. Competing at the Worlds, she received the baton with Jamaica just 0.01 seconds ahead. And while the fans thought that Jamaica might just power through, Richardson powered down the final stretch to secure the women’s 4x100m relay gold for the United States at the World Athletics Championships on September 21.
The margin was razor-thin, only 0.04 seconds, yet it was enough for Team USA to bask in golden glory. And the final moments of the race served as redemption for Richardson, who anchored a team of Jefferson-Wooden, Twanisha Terry, and Kayla White to 41.75. This way, they not only held off Jamaica, but also outlasted Germany’s bronze effort of 41.87. Hours later, the American sprinter made clear that this victory would not standalone.
Taking to her X account, she told her followers, “Remember the name ShaCarri Richardson.” Surely, this was a bold statement. But there was more to come. Reposting the quote, the Olympian further stated, “And there’s more to come, babygirl.”
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Now, this was quite a statement, and her fans would surely be elated with the same. That’s because her season has been anything but straightforward. She opened at the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo on May 18. Sadly enough, Richardson could only manage a fourth-place finish in 11.47 seconds. February brought an undisclosed injury; July, a controversial situation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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At the U.S. Championships in August, she withdrew from the 100m semifinals despite an 11.07 in the opening rounds, then missed the 200m final by 0.01 seconds. A week later, she managed sixth at the Silesia Diamond League in 11.05, overshadowed by Jefferson-Wooden’s 10.66.
However, Richardson’s slow resurgence began to take shape in Brussels. Drawn in lane six on September 6, Richardson ran with composure, finishing second in 11.08 behind Jefferson-Wooden’s 10.76. It was her first podium since Zurich the previous September, and the relief showed as she pointed skyward after the race. Meanwhile, the US sprinter has now revealed some secrets that helped her attain the golden glory.
Sha’Carri Richardson reveals real secret behind Team USA’s relay glory
Asked about her training environment, Richardson did not hesitate to point toward the influence of Dennis Mitchell at Star Athletics. “I would say his coaching style is something that all of us have never experienced before,” she remarked, explaining that his guidance extended “not just as a coach, um, but as a person. He teaches us as people, he teaches us as athletes, and he takes care of everything that you wouldn’t even think you need as an athlete.”
Richardson described Mitchell’s methods as detailed and demanding. She underscored that his preparation was not conventional, noting, “So, I give the utmost respect to Green Machine, to our coach Sheree, and they’re always creative. They come up with things that other coaches I know for sure, for sure, will never think of.” Richardson concluded her statement with a clear recognition of the program’s reputation.
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