Sha'Carri Richardson Overcomes Rocky Start to Reach 100m Final

Richardson scrapes into 100m final after dramatic semi-final

Sha'Carri Richardson battles back from a shaky start to secure a spot in the 100m final at the World Athletics Championships. Read more.

Veteran sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also advanced to the semi-finals, finishing second in her heat...

Defending champion Sha'Carri Richardson showed remarkable resilience, overcoming a stumble at the starting line to scrape into the 100m final at the World Athletics Championships. The 25-year-old American suffered a shaky start in her semifinal, tripping between her fourth and fifth step out of the blocks. Despite this setback, Richardson managed to recover and clock a time of 11 seconds flat, securing one of the two fastest loser spots.

Richardson's qualification was a testament to her determination, as she had to wait anxiously in the “hot seat” area near the finish line to see if her time would be enough to advance. Fortunately, her time held up, and she joined the likes of Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Jamaica's five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the final. Other notable qualifiers included Britain's Dina-Asher Smith, who earned a wildcard spot with a time of 11.02 seconds.

Sha'Carri Richardson overcame a rocky start to secure a spot in the semi-finals, finishing third with a time of 11.03 seconds in her heat. Despite being warned for falling over the start line, Richardson showcased her resilience and speed, fighting back to claim her place among the top contenders. Meanwhile, Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith and Shericka Jackson took the automatic qualification spots, with Ta Lou-Smith winning her heat in 11.05 seconds and Jackson clocking 11.04 seconds.

Veteran sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also advanced to the semi-finals, finishing second in her heat with a time of 11.09 seconds. However, the standout performance came from Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who effortlessly qualified for the semi-finals with the fastest time overall of 10.93 seconds. Alfred's dominant display has set the stage for a thrilling competition, with Richardson, Fraser-Pryce, and other top athletes vying for the 100m title.

Five-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to conclude her illustrious career at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 38-year-old Jamaican legend has announced that this year's championships will be her last major individual appearance. Despite being one of the oldest competitors in the field, Fraser-Pryce has shown remarkable resilience and determination, securing her spot in the semi-finals with a commendable performance.

In the semi-finals, Olympic champion Julien Alfred topped her heat, while Fraser-Pryce and Sha'Carri Richardson awaited their fate in the “hot seat” area. Richardson, the defending champion, had a rocky start but managed to recover and secure a spot in the final as one of the fastest losers. Meanwhile, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Richardson's teammate and the form sprinter of the season, effortlessly cruised through to the final with the fastest time in the semi-finals.

One for Sha’Carri!

Despite not being able to defend her title, Richardson set a new seasons best in Tokyo during the semi-finals. #WCHTokyo25 coverage presented by @brooksrunning

📸: @daniellealakija pic.twitter.com/Qo8LyaRyEC

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) September 14, 2025

Fraser-Pryce's final appearance in Tokyo marks the end of an era in women's sprinting. With an impressive collection of medals and accolades, including three Olympic gold medals and ten World Championship titles, Fraser-Pryce leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations of athletes to come.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden made a flawless start, cruising to victory in her semifinal heat with a time of 10.74 seconds. Jamaica's Tina Clayton took second place, while Britain's Dina Asher-Smith secured third with a time of 11.02 seconds, earning a wildcard spot to the final. Meanwhile, Sha'Carri Richardson anxiously awaited the results, eventually discovering she had qualified as one of the fastest losers with a time of 11.00 seconds.

Asher-Smith's qualification came at the expense of her British teammate Amy Hunt, prompting a disappointed reaction from the veteran sprinter. Richardson, who had a shaky start in her semifinal, showed relief and determination as she rose from her seat upon seeing her time. The stage is now set for a thrilling final, featuring top athletes like Olympic champion Julien Alfred, Jefferson-Wooden, and Richardson.

What a year 😮‍💨

Sha’Carri Richardson’s roller-coaster 2025 season continues with a 5th place, 10.94 finish in the #WorldAthleticsChamps 100m final. The 2023 World champ couldn’t pick up another medal this time in the open 100m but looks well-positioned to help out on the 4x100m… pic.twitter.com/Es823w4NPB

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) September 14, 2025

Notable Performances in the Semifinals:

• Melissa Jefferson-Wooden: Posted the fastest time of the three semifinal races with 10.73 seconds, outperforming Richardson's 11.00 seconds by 0.27 seconds.

• Julien Alfred: Won her semifinal heat with an impressive performance, showcasing her Olympic champion form.

• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: Finished 1-2 in the second semifinal alongside another strong competitor, demonstrating her enduring talent.