It’s day 2 of the Diamond League Finals, and things are heating up already! Many fans were ecstatic to watch Sha’Carri Richardson on day 1 in Brussels. However, earlier today, it was announced that she wasn’t contesting in the 200m finals at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. While it caused quite a stir, it left the race open-ended. In a stacked lineup consisting of Brittany Brown, Daryll Neita, and more, who would seize the Diamond League title tonight?

Well, ask, and you shall receive. In a nail-biting race, Brown’s blistering time of 22.20 seconds gave her an epic win. But wait! It gets better. She is now the first American to win in the event since Allyson Felix emerged victorious 10 years ago! What a day for the 29-year-old. Trailing behind her was GB’s Daryll Neita, who had to settle for a second-place finish with 22.45 seconds on the clock. Brown’s compatriot, Anavia Battle, completed the podium in 22.61 seconds.

With the favorite, Sha’Carri Richardson, out of contention, the stakes were higher than ever for Brown. The sprinter was quick off the blocks and held on to her lead as she emerged through the curve. Neita didn’t make it easy. But undeterred, the 29-year-old only had eyes for the finish line. Against all odds, she sprinted her way to the women’s 200m Diamond League trophy. After a third-place finish in the 200m finals at Stade de France, Brown has finally etched herself as a formidable foe.

During the Diamond League meets, Brittany Brown clinched her first 200m victory in Oslo. Not only did she win, but she also set a season-best with a blistering 22.32 seconds at the Bislett Olympic Stadium. The Paris Olympics bronze medalist won in Rome next. This time, she crossed the finish line in 22.00 seconds, edging out Anavia Battle, who finished in 22.27 seconds. Daryll Neita completed the podium with 22.46 seconds on the clock.

This is similar to Felix, whose injury didn’t show much promise for the 2014 season. After clocking her slowest time in 400m at the Shanghai Diamond League, she returned to the 200m circuit in Eugene. The then 27-year-old’s time of 22.44 seconds might not have been good enough for the win, but she was happy with a third-place finish. A few more wins later, the sprinter made it to the finals in Brussels. With 22.02 seconds on the clock, the Diamond League Trophy was hers to claim.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s absence at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme

After her second-place finish in the 200m finals in Paris, Sha’Carri Richardson was hoping to redeem herself. She did that and more when she crossed the finish line in the 100m first in Zurich. Even with a slow start, no one could stop the sprinter from clinching a win. Her stellar time of 10.84 seconds put her on the top step of the podium. While fans hoped to see the same result in the 100m finals in Brussel, the 24-year-old couldn’t replicate it, with her rival Julien Alfred seizing a win as she trailed behind in 8th place.

As the final list of athletes for the 200m race was released, many fans noticed the American’s name missing. The event is considered to be her strongest category. But after a heartbreaking result of Day 1 in Brussels, it looks like Sha’Carri Richardson had pulled out of Day 2. In her absence, Dutch sprinter Tasa Jiya replaced her in an already stacked line-up. While we’re not too sure what the event would’ve been like with her contention. But one thing’s for certain: it surely was a thrilling race!