Updated 21 Aug 2023 10:20 pm:
Sha’Carri Richardson dominated the world 100m championship in Budapest, setting a blazing pace that left Dina Asher-Smith trailing in eighth place. The American sensation, Richardson, shattered the World Championships record with a remarkable time of 10.65 seconds, securing her victory ahead of Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD
🇺🇸’s Sha’Carri Richardson storms to golden 100m glory in 10.65 🤯#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/BzwBG0MINR
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 21, 2023
In stark contrast, Asher-Smith faltered, clocking a disappointing 11 seconds in the race on Monday night. Her struggles were evident even in the earlier semi-final, where she managed a lacklustre 11.02s, placing third. This underperformance forced her to rely on a fastest-loser spot, a predicament shared by Richardson after she secured a third-place finish in her heat.
Daryll Neita also faced disappointment, as her hopes of advancing were dashed when she could only manage a time of 11.03s, falling short in her semi-final attempt. Expressing her dismay, Neita commented, “It’s sad. It was crazy to be honest with you. I don’t see what I did majorly wrong, I just feel like I wasn’t fast, I didn’t run fast enough. It’s a big surprise because I should be there.”
Neita’s sentiments echoed the frustration she felt, mirroring her experience from the previous year in Eugene. While acknowledging that her performance then was relatively faster, she remained resolute, driven by the upcoming 200m event.
Amid a backdrop of emotions, Holly Bradshaw’s tearful departure from the pole vault final painted a poignant picture. Struggling with a bout of illness contracted at Great Britain’s holding camp, Bradshaw could only manage a clearance of 4.35m. Her mental health bore the weight of her athletic pursuit, compounded by her physical setback. Reflecting on her situation, Bradshaw revealed, “My mental health is really suffering from doing this sport right now. I am not near my family, I’ve still got four competitions but I wanted to try and get the Olympics qualification.”
The aspirations that had buoyed Bradshaw faded in the face of adversity. Her dissatisfaction was palpable as she spoke of her current emotional state. The normally determined athlete admitted, “I don’t really know how I feel right now. At the moment, I don’t want to compete or think about the pole vault or do anything.”
Bradshaw’s ordeal was exacerbated by the unfortunate timing of her illness, stemming from a stomach bug contracted shortly before the competition. These health challenges led her to alter her approach, focusing on conserving energy due to her weakened condition. Her sense of defeat and frustration was acutely felt, with Bradshaw acknowledging, “I’m really gutted and heartbroken. I felt really good coming into this.”
In spite of these setbacks, athletes like Richardson and Asher-Smith, fueled by determination, and in Bradshaw’s case, by the hope of better future performance, epitomize the resilience and unwavering spirit of competitors on the world stage.
Sha’Carri Richardson dominated the world 100m championship in Budapest #WorldAthleticsChampionships pic.twitter.com/cPVxJIUtWU
— World in Sport (@WorldinSport) August 21, 2023
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