Sha'Carri Richardson SHOCKS Fans! What's Next After US Trials Exit?
Track and field fans were surprised as reigning world 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson withdrew from the remainder of the US Track and Field Championships in Oregon. This decision comes after her appearance in the opening heats, leaving many wondering about her strategy leading up to the World Championships in Tokyo.
Richardson's Strategy for Tokyo
Richardson, along with Noah Lyles, has already qualified for the World Championships in Tokyo due to their gold medals in the 100m at Budapest in 2023. After clocking 11.07 seconds in her 100m heat, Richardson opted to end her campaign in Eugene.
"USA is one of the hardest teams to make, so it definitely is a kind of a release of pressure knowing I have a bye," Richardson told AFP. "It feels really good to not have that pressure and still be able to go to Tokyo."
Lyles Focuses on 200m
Similarly, Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles withdrew from the 100m semi-finals to concentrate on the 200m. Lyles clocked 10.05 seconds in the first round. "I need races -- everybody knows I started the season late due to injury," Lyles explained.
Other Notable Performances
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated the 400m final.
- Nikki Hiltz won the women's 1500m final.
- Jonah Koech surprised with a win in the men's 1500m final.
- Lexy Halladay-Lowry secured a victory in the 3000m steeplechase.
- Austin Miller won the pole vault with a height of 5.92m.
The USATF Championships continue to deliver exciting performances as athletes gear up for the World Championships in Tokyo.