US sprint queen claims thrilling Stawell Gift win
Shayne Hope |
American sprint queen Sha’Carri Richardson approached her Stawell Gift debut as “glorified practice” but ultimately lived up to her star billing with a record-breaking victory.
The 26-year-old became just the third woman to win the 120m handicap race off scratch, storming home to cross the finish line in 13.15 seconds at Central Park on Easter Monday.
It was the fastest time in the history of the women’s race.
Richardson won the 2023 100m world title and was second in the blue-riband sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But running on grass in a handicap race was a whole new experience for one of the biggest names in world track and field, one she handled with aplomb.
“The race was phenomenal,” Richardson said.
“(I’ve been) focusing in on the race execution me and my coach Dennis (Mitchell) have been working on and using this as a race to utilise those new gears and show them off.
“So it was really good – a really good executed race.”
Richardson felt confident she would win 30 metres out from the finish line, but had to fight off a huge challenge from teenager Charlotte Nielsen.
The 19-year-old’s time of 13.19 would have won every previous edition of the women’s race.
Richardson didn’t quite know what to expect when she arrived in Australia but now feels her Stawell Gift experience has laid the platform for a big season ahead.
“Every time I step on the track and I’m able to compete healthy and use it as a way to just get my race better and better and better is something that means a lot to me,” Richardson said.
“I don’t see it as any less than a regular race, the worlds, Olympics … every single time you have the chance to touch the track, you use that chance.”
Richardson’s partner Christian Coleman was eliminated in the semis of the men’s Gift earlier on Monday.
Coleman, 30, holds the 60m indoor world record and started off scratch, giving up 5.25m to his closest rival.
“It felt like I put up a good fight but these guys aren’t slouches,” Coleman said.
“Giving up that much of a margin over 120, it is what it is, but I had fun.
“I couldn’t really have asked for a better experience. I wish I could’ve made that final but it is what it is. It’s tough.”
Australian Olufemi Komolafe won the men’s Gift in 12.03 seconds ahead of Jake Ireland and Dutch hurdler Liam van der Schaaf.
Brendan Matthews was a late scratching from what would have been his fifth Gift final after damaging a hamstring crossing the finish line in his semi-final.
Komolafe, a 21-year-old medicine student who grew up playing soccer, returned from a hamstring injury one month out from Monday’s race.
He set his sights on winning the Gift started when he committed to serious sprint training four years ago.
“Ever since I started … it’s been in my mind,” Komolafe said.
“I heard about the Stawell Gift being the biggest race in the season and I had in my mind that one day I’d like to achieve that.”
AAP