In briefs
- US sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has taken out a thrilling victory in the women's Stawell Gift.
- It was the fastest time in the history of the women's race.
United States sprint queen Sha'Carri Richardson has lived up to her star billing with a thrilling victory in the women's Stawell Gift.
The 26-year-old became just the third woman to win the 120m handicap race from scratch, storming home to cross the finish line in 13.15 seconds at Central Park on Easter Monday.
It was the fastest time in the history of the women's race.
Richardson won the 2023 100m world title and was second in the blue-riband sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But running on grass in a handicap race was a whole new experience for one of the biggest names in world track and field.
"The race was phenomenal," Richardson said.
"[I've been] focusing in on the race execution me and my coach Dennis (Mitchell) have been working on and using this as a race to utilise those new gears and show them off.
"So it was really good — a really good-executed race."
Richardson felt confident she would win 30m from the finish, but had to fight off a huge challenge from teenager Charlotte Nielsen.
The 19-year-old's time of 13.19 would have won every previous edition of the women's race.
Australian Olufemi Komolafe won the men's Stawell Gift in 12.03 seconds ahead of Jake Ireland and Dutch hurdler Liam van der Schaaf.
Richardson's partner Christian Coleman was eliminated in the semi-finals of the men's Gift earlier on Monday.
Coleman, 30, holds the 60m indoor world record.
"It felt like I put up a good fight but these guys aren't slouches," Coleman said.
"Giving up that much of a margin over 120, it is what it is, but I had fun.
"I couldn't really have asked for a better experience. I wish I could've made that final but it is what it is. It's tough."
Australian Brendan Matthews was a late scratching from what would have been his fifth Stawell Gift final after damaging a hamstring crossing the finish line in his semi-final.
The race event, held each Easter in the Victoria town of Stawell, about 240km north-west of Melbourne, was first run in 1878.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
