The article explores Sha’Carri Richardson’s standing among the fastest women in the world, comparing her performance to the legendary Jamaican sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
In the world of sprinting, few notable names carry the weight and prestige that come with being among the fastest women on the planet.
Over the past decade, Jamaica has dominated the sprinting scene with its trio of remarkable athletes including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Each of the athletes has earned their place among the legends of the sport, thanks to their remarkable performances on the global stage.
However, a fierce competitor has emerged from the United States, Sha’Carri Richardson, and she is taking the world of sprinting by storm. Of course, there are other top stars like Julien Alfred but this article will specifically dwell on the Olympic 100m silver medallist.
Sha’Carri Richardson is undoubtedly one of the favourites in the current crop of sprinters and her rise in sprinting is one of many challenges but her resilience has seen her overcome all obstacles to become one of the best. Her rise has also been coupled with her bold personality and unique style.
Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will head to the United States to promote her latest venture as she begins to prepare for life beyond track.
In this article, the conversation will be about how she stacks up against the Jamaican sprint queens, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Sha’Carri Richardson’s rise to prominence
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Sha’Carri Richardson of United States of America reacts after competing in the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Image source: Imago
Sha’Carri Richardson burst into the global spotlight during the 2021 US Olympic Trials, where she won the 100m in an impressive 10.72 seconds, making her the sixth-fastest woman of all time at that moment.
However, she was unable to compete in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games due to a two-month suspension over a failed drug test. She returned to the track in 2022 and despite not having one of the best seasons, there was more to look forward to.
In 2023, Richardson continued to show her potential by winning the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a time of 10.65 seconds, putting her in the conversation for the world’s fastest since she had just moved to seventh place behind Shericka Jackson.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: The Sprint Queen
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica reacts after the women s 100m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Image source: Imago
If there is one woman who has consistently proven to be one of the fastest in the world, it is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
The Jamaican sprinter is one of the most decorated female sprinters of all time, with a career spanning over a decade and a half.
In her life as a sprinter, Fraser-Pryce has won multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, earning her reputation.
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Elaine Thompson-Herah has been a victim of injuries and at one point in her career, she felt like there was no need to keep trying.
She has always defied age and expectations, with her most recent 100m victory at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she clocked a time of 10.67 seconds at 35 years old.
She became the oldest woman to win a World Championship 100m title, further solidifying her place in sprinting history.
Her personal best in the 100m stands at an impressive 10.60 seconds, set in 2021 at the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne, which places her as the second-fastest woman alive and the third fastest behind Elaine Thompson-Herah and the late Florence Griffith-Joyner.
Shericka Jackson: The Rising Star
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Shericka Jackson celebrates her win in the women’s 100 meter dash during the annual Prefontaine Classic
Image source: Imago
It is safe to say that Shericka Jackson is still making a name for herself since she recently burst into the world of sprinting and her progress so far has been nothing short of impressive.
Shericka Jackson started her journey in the 400m and transitioned to the 100m and 200m and her move has been met with impeccable performances. She has always proven to be a serious contender in global championships.
In 2022, she won the 200m World Championship title in a blazing 21.45 seconds, the third-fastest time in history at the time and went on to win a silver in the 100m.
She then went on to dominate the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where she claimed gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m, proving herself to be a versatile and consistent sprinter.
Jackson’s best time in the 100m is 10.65 seconds that she ran at the 2023 Jamaican Olympic trials. Her fierce competitive spirit and impressive range across multiple distances make her a strong contender in any race against Sha’Carri Richardson.
Elaine Thompson-Herah: The double Olympic champion
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Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM), 100m explained her preparation for the meeting during Press conference of the Grand-Prix Athletissima Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne 2022
Image source: Imago
Elaine Thompson-Herah, the 100m and 200m Olympic champion from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is another key figure in the Jamaican sprinting legacy.
Elaine Thompson-Herah has long been known for her blistering speed, and she has already cemented her place as one of the greatest of all time despite her injury setbacks.
Thompson-Herah’s 100m time of 10.54 seconds at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic was a national record for Jamaica and the second-fastest 100m time in history at the time, just behind Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 10.49.
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Letsile Tebogo has revealed the one thing that sets him apart from other sprinters as he explained the main reason behind the decision.
In the 200m, her personal best time stands at 21.53 set at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. These times place her firmly among the fastest women in history and make her a formidable force against any rival, including Sha’Carri Richardson.
Where does Sha’Carri Richardson rank?
However, when it comes to ranking her alongside Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah, it’s clear that while Sha’Carri Richardson has the raw talent and speed, she is still working towards consistency and dominating major global titles.
