It’s just been hours since the US track stars made history on the national stage again. But one phenom we missed watching was Sha’Carri Richardson, who’s the reigning champion in the 100m in virtue of her 2023 World Championships’ record-breaking performance. As a cherry on top, she even anchored her 4x100m relay team to the most coveted gold podium. Sha’Carri, who rose to fame in 2019 after smashing the collegiate record at just 19, shares a warm relationship with her teammates. Among them, Tee Tee has captured her heart for more than one reason.

Sha’Carri Richardson and Tee Tee: From strangers to confidantes

Twanisha Terry, popularly known as ‘Tee Tee’, has made headlines in two consecutive World Championships as a part of the gold-winning relay team. Being part of the USC Trojans, Terry has a multitude of NCAA achievements, the most notable being the NCAA Division 1 title. Though she wished to “dominate Team USA” alongside compatriot Sha’Carri, her 100m luck didn’t favor her. Despite this, she built a beautiful bond with teammate Richardson, who idolized her in her college days. They’re not toe-to-toe, true. But somewhere, their athletic hearts coincide. “And legit, we both have the same goals. We both have the same heart when it comes to this when it comes to being an athlete. I love me some Tee Tee. I love me some tweets, ” said the 23-year-old in a Real Talk episode with Tiara Williams.

After her class-apart 100m performance at the 2023 Doha Diamond League, Richardson rolled in with Tee Tee to sweep titles in Kenya. At the Kip Keino Classic, both of them nabbed one victory each. The former in the 200m dash and the latter in the 100m. With time, the 200m WC bronze medalist realized what it meant to be in the proximity of her girls.

Richardson never developed a core rivalry with her adversaries

Keeping her teammates aside, Sha’Carri Richardson never liked a rift with track titans, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Shericka Jackson. To her, ‘sisterhood’ holds the most importance. She had once said in a press conference, “I have enjoyed creating a sisterhood that a lot of people thought was impossible. No matter what nobody says, my domino and my vibe have helped create that”. 

READ MORE: Sha’Carri Richardson Claps for Foreign Rival as She Takes Home 60M Win at Milrose Games

Though it sounds like ‘”keep your friends close and enemies closer” – to the 23-year-old, it is more like fuel. Someone who said, that “we may have the utmost respect for each other”, has proven herself as a true athlete. A rule-out from the Tokyo Olympics came as the hardest blow. But with clasped hands, her fans want to watch her in action in Paris this year.

Watch this story: Sha’Carri Richardson Charges On NBC and US Track and Field Authorities Due to The Exploitation of The Athletes