Sha'Carri Richardson won the women's 100m at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships, claiming her first senior United States national title. She crossed the line in 10.82 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. After years of near misses and one enforced absence, she finally stood at the head of American sprinting.
Behind off the line, level by halfway
Richardson found herself in a deficit as the field left the blocks. She stayed composed through the drive phase and let her top speed answer for her. By midway she had drawn level with the field, and from there the outcome was no longer in doubt.
She broke the tape ahead of Brittany Brown, who ran 10.90 for second. Tamari Davis took third in 10.99. All three earned places on the US team for the World Championships in Budapest.
The final capped a clean march through the rounds before a full Hayward Field crowd. Her first-round 10.71 on Thursday was a personal best. She then cruised to 10.75 in Friday's semifinal, well clear of the rest of her heat.
A first national title, two years after suspension
The title carried weight beyond the clock. It came two years after Richardson was suspended for a positive marijuana test, which cost her a place at the Tokyo Olympics. She had won the 2021 Olympic trials 100m, only to watch those Games from home.
Speaking to television afterwards, she said she felt ready in body, mind and emotion. Then she added, "I'm not back, I'm better."
Weeks later she took the world 100m title in Budapest in 10.65 and anchored the relay to gold. Olympic silver and relay gold in Paris followed in 2024, then relay gold again at the 2025 Tokyo Worlds. In 2026 she reclaimed this national title, the run that started in Eugene still unbroken.
