Not Christian Coleman, but Sha’Carri Richardson’s Other Favorite Brings Smile to Her Face After Zurich Diamond League 2023 Gold

Sha’Carri Richardson is not just a great athlete but also an equally supportive teammate. In fact, the triumphant finish of the women’s 4x100m relay in Budapest displayed that there is a strong camaraderie among the U.S. track team. As both men’s and women’s 4x100m relay team swept their events, and as Sha’Carri Richardson crossed the finish line, she was met by an enthusiastic Christian Coleman who ended up tackling Richardson as they celebrated.

However, camaraderie and supporting friends and teammates is something that runs deeply within Richardson, as was evident in Budapest. While she was out on the track, her former LSU teammate and Swedish pole vault star Armand Duplantis was attempting to clear steep heights. Video captured from the day highlights how the track star was shouting and cheering for her former teammate and fast forward to today, both LSU alums have outdone themselves once again in Zurich.

Sha’Carri Richardson and Modo Duplantis win at Zurich

Just around four years ago, both Richardson and Duplantis were freshmen at LSU. All these years later, both have established themselves as the champion of their respective sport. Richardson continues her winning streak in 100m and Duplantis has now cleared the height of six meters or more in around fifty different tournaments. Both LSU alums continued their hot run of form in Zurich as Sha’Carri Richardson took first place again in the women’s 100m while Armand Duplantis also registered a pole vault win.

Duplantis breezed to a relatively easy win, which marked his 51st time jumping a height of 6.00m or higher. An astonishing feat given his young age of 23. He came really close to breaking his own world record of 6.22m but could not go above the 6.00m mark. Just a few days back in Budapest, he had secured a second world title in pole vault, but his jump of 6.10m could not help him set a new world record. Duplantis’ epic performances resonate deeply with his former teammate Richardson, who not only cheers fellow athletes but is also her own biggest supporter, as was evident earlier this year.

American track star is her own biggest supporter

Earlier this year during the U.S. championships, Sha’Carri Richardson was only finding her feet after a difficult past few years. But as she won the 100m in 10.82 seconds at the U.S. Championships, Richardson emphasized that she is back and she is ready both physically and mentally to take what belongs to her. According to a Guardian report, she further said, “I’m here to say, I’m not back, I’m better…” This highlighted her confidence in herself, which has made her the most feared athlete in the women’s 100m division.

Read more: As America Weeps for Sha’Carri Richardson, Magic Johnson Beams With Pride Over World Athletics Championship Triumph

As she continues to move forward on her track journey, Sha’Carri Richardson understands the strength of supporting others and oneself. Since track is often an individual sport, one has to be their biggest supporter as well as support their peers. Her actions prove that she understands the power of motivation and positive encouragement, which are very important for athletes participating in individual sports.

Watch his story: Sticking with Sha’Carri Richardson During Her Dark Times in 2021, Nike’s Swoosh Carries American Athlete Across Finishing Line in Budapest