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via Reuters

via Reuters

Sha’Carri Richardson has been the queen of female track and field in the US. Ever since her emergence on the big stage, Richardson has enthralled fans with her offbeat fashion statement and her blazing-fast speed. Having a heartbreak in Tokyo, as she was disqualified from the Olympics after testing positive for THC, Richardson was hell-bent on proving herself as the best. And thus, come the World Championships in 2023, Sha’Carri Richardson set the track on fire. 

Running in the 100m and the 4x100m events, Richardson looked indomitable as she whizzed past her opponents to clinch the gold medal in both disciplines. Although she finished third to take the bronze medal in 200m, her form was threatening enough to give a headache to her opponents. However, while Richardson sits atop the list of fastest women in 2024, there are other US runners emerging fast to threaten the queen for her throne. But can they? 

Did you know that Sha’Carri Richardson has competitors to look out for from her homeland?

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The US has seen a boom of female athletes making their way to prominence. After the likes of Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson attempted to popularize the sport with their unique style, things are truly changing for the good. A look at the top 10 fastest female runners in 2024 will reveal that there are 3 more athletes from the USA who have the potential to challenge Richardson in the future. Now, first up at number 3, is the University of Tennessee sprinter, Jacious Sears.

via Reuters

Competing at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida, Sears clocked a time of 10.77s to burst into the scene. In fact, before Richardson’s heroics in the Olympic trials, it was Sears who was the fastest woman of 2024. Next up is the talented Melissa Jefferson. Jefferson won the 100m bronze medal in the Olympics this year. Jefferson also holds a prestigious Olympic medal to her name, which came as a team effort in the 4x100m relay. Her 10.80s timing in Hayward Field, Eugene, has propelled Jefferson to the 4th position in the list. 

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The entrant in the top 10 list is Aleia Hobbs. Competing at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA, Hobbs clocked a timing of 10.88s to feature in the eighth position. Well, these athletes are surely immensely talented and will be carrying fans’ hopes in the upcoming days. However, in comparison, Sha’Carri Richardson still seems to be the USA’s best bet by a mile. 

Richardson dominates her competition in 2024

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Sha’Carri Richardson’s 10.87 was not enough to win her the Olympic gold. However, despite the trolls from her haters, winning an Olympic silver is no child’s play. As a matter of fact, the extent of Richardson’s speed can be determined from the fact that even the Olympic gold medalist could not beat her time. While Julian Alfred clocked 10.72s at the 100m Olympics in Paris, she fell just short of Richardson’s time of 10.71s in the U.S. Track Trials, which is still the fastest dash of 2024. 

What’s more, competing at the Zurich Diamond League recently, Sha’Carri Richardson got her perfect revenge on Julian Alfred. Running on a wet track, Alfred clocked 10.88 to fall well short of Richardson’s 10.84, which earned her the gold. Back in Paris too, Richardson shrugged off her 100m heartbreak to propel Team USA to victory, winning the gold. Thus, with competitions brewing, Sha’Carri Richardson is still looking fit to reign the women’s track and field proceedings in the times to come.