Sha’Carri Richardson seizes the 100-metre gold, marking her World Championships breakthrough.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s forewarnings to her 100-metre competitors throughout the season proved prophetic as a new star ascended in Budapest, rendering even the world’s most accomplished sprinters powerless to thwart her victory.

The 23-year-old American’s resounding assertion that “I’m not back, I’m better” silenced doubters. The initial disbelief at her triumph gave way to unadulterated joy, with the gold medal around her neck emphatically confirming the accuracy of her statement.

In a remarkable display from lane nine, Richardson’s championship record performance of 10.65 seconds, the joint-fifth fastest ever, clinched gold in her inaugural major championship appearance.

The emotional outpouring spoke volumes, acknowledging Richardson’s journey, marked by overcoming substantial setbacks at the outset of a career brimming with potential.

Amid her scintillating performances in April 2021, a one-month anti-doping suspension due to marijuana use caused her to miss the Tokyo Olympics, while non-qualification for the previous year’s World Championships in her home country further hindered her progress.

The athlete’s positive drug test followed her victory at the Olympic trials, held a week after her biological mother’s passing. She attributed her cannabis use to coping with the loss.

With these experiences behind her, it was only a matter of time before her remarkable talent shone through.

Despite her relative inexperience, her propensity for greatness emerged. Running four of this year’s six fastest times, only Jamaican Shericka Jackson, whose time Richardson matched, had posted quicker times in 2023.

Though a lacklustre semi-final performance saw her finish outside the automatic qualification places, her eventual victory showed that an outside lane couldn’t deter her during the crucial moments.

Richardson’s celebrated victory follows fellow American Noah Lyles’ success in the men’s 100m; both sprinters emerge as influential figures with the capacity to transcend the sport, capturing attention for their athletic prowess and distinctive personal styles.

Michael Johnson, the eight-time world champion, emphasised the importance of Richardson’s achievement, stating, “This is incredibly important because so much has been made of Richardson.”

In a field boasting the world’s six fastest women, athletes like Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Julien Alfred, along with Britain’s Dina Asher Smith, missed out on medals.