Sha’Carri Richardson added another medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships to her collection on Friday, earning the bronze medal in the 200 meters in 21.92 . Her teammate, Gabby Thomas, finished just ahead of her in 21.81, while Shericka Jackson of Jamaica took control of the race early, winning by a landslide in 21.41.
Jackson got off to a great start and had a lead halfway through. But during the final 100 meters, the 29-year-old pulled farther away from the field with authority, crossing the line in the second-fastest time ever in the 200 meters.
Thomas and Richardson are the latest American women to medal in the 200 meters at the World Championships since Brittany Brown won silver in 2019.
This is Thomas’s third global medal. At the Tokyo Olympics, she earned bronze in the 200 meters and was a member of Team USA’s silver medal winning 4x100-meter relay squad. In July, she won the U.S. title in the 200 meters in a personal best of 21.61, beating Richardson in the process.
After failing to qualify for the World Championships last year, Richardson has had a landmark 2023. She won her first U.S. title in July, cruising to the victory in 10.82. She then ran a near-perfect race Sales & Deals, to beat out Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for the gold medal in a championship record time of 10.65.
While the 100 meters has historically been Richardson’s best event, she’s had success at 200 meters this year as well, running a personal best of 21.94 in July, and bettering her time in Friday’s final.
Next up for the American duo is likely the 4x100-meter relay, which kicked off earlier today in the preliminary rounds. Thomas and Richardson did not participate, but they’re entered in the relay pool, meaning they are eligible to run a leg if selected. Team USA qualified for the final with a time of 41.59, and they are considered a medal favorite for Saturday’s race at 3:50 p.m. ET.
Health - Injuries Runner’s World. He is a former all-conference collegiate runner who’s based in Easton, PA. Previously, he worked as the newsletters editor at Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics.
