Sha’Carri Richardson secures another triumph by clinching the 4x100m relay world gold in addition to her 100m individual victory. The event, held in Budapest, witnessed Richardson as the anchor, propelling the USA team to a remarkable achievement with a championship record time of 41.03 seconds.
While Jamaica’s 200m champion, Shericka Jackson, applied pressure on Richardson during the final stretch, Richardson managed to stave off the challenge. Ultimately, the USA’s long-standing rivals secured the silver medal, completing the race in 41.21 seconds. Meanwhile, Britain secured the bronze with a time of 41.97 seconds.
This remarkable feat saw the USA quartet surpassing the championship record set by Jamaica back in 2015 in Beijing.
Shashalee Forbes of Jamaica, who ran the third leg of the relay, expressed contentment despite not securing the gold. “We’re not disappointed. It was a great race. They were very tough. We went out to deliver, and we are happy and pleased with what we got,” Forbes remarked.
Jamaica’s decision to exclude two-time Olympic 100m champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who displayed a stellar performance in the heats, could potentially be a choice they come to rue.
In contrast, the American team exhibited control from the outset, establishing a substantial lead by the time Richardson received the baton from Gabby Thomas, the silver medalist in the 200m.
Despite Jackson’s impressive performance in the 200m final, where she achieved the second-fastest time ever, she couldn’t match Richardson’s pace and had minimal impact on the outcome of the relay.
Upon crossing the finish line, Richardson’s momentum led her to collide with the celebrating USA men’s quartet, including Christian Coleman. Both athletes tumbled to the track, but they were swiftly assisted back to their feet. Richardson found herself embraced by her male teammates as well as her fellow female runners.
Jamaican sprinting legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce found consolation in this event, securing her 16th world medal and surpassing the total held by the retired legend Usain Bolt. Notably, American icon Allyson Felix holds the record for the most world medals, boasting an impressive tally of 20.
