Sha'Carri Richardson has beaten the late Tori Bowie's 100m Wanda Diamond League record in emotional scenes just days after her former teammate's death.
The 23-year-old produced her biggest win in two years with a time of 10.77, shaving off 0.03 of a second off Bowie's 100m Diamond League meeting record. Richardson defeated a world-class field including the likes of Shericka Jackson, Dina Asher-Smith, Twanisha Terry, Zoe Hobbs, Teahna Daniels, Melissa Jefferson, and Abby Steiner.
Richardson's record-breaking run comes just days after Bowie died aged 32 in her Florida home. A cause of death has not been released for Bowie, who competed in the long jump, 100m, and 200m, and was a three-time Olympic medalist.
Following Bowie's death, Richardson paid tribute to Bowie on social media. "People never know what you’re going through, Rise up Queen, you deserve peace," Richardson wrote in memory of Bowie.
The Diamond League meeting result happens to be Richardson's best in two years. In 2019, Richardson entered nationals ranked No1 in the nation in the 100m. However, what followed was an eighth-placed finish after a long NCAA season at LSU.
In 2021, she won the Olympic Trials. But Richardson had her result disqualified following testing positive for marijuana - a banned substance in competition. "Don't judge me, because I am human," Richardson said in an interview with NBC's Today show at the time. "I'm you. I just happen to run a little faster."
And last year, Richardson had a tough time at nationals, crashing out of the 100m competition in the first round. “I feel like I ain’t done, and I’m the queen,” Richardson said then, and she has seemingly been proven right.
Richardson will now also be filled with confidence ahead of July’s USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships. The top three will qualify for August’s world championships. Jefferson, who came second to last, is the 2022 US champion, which will also feel good for Richardson.
Fans are excited to see Richardson finally perform. "The fan is me is excited," one said on Twitter. "Finally Sha'Carri Richardson has delivered a world-class performance off US soil!"
