Flo-Jo Remains the Fastest Woman After 35 Years, but Sha’Carri Richardson’s Iconic Record Overshadows Her Glory

Thirty-five years ago, in 1988, Florence Griffith Joyner, affectionately known as Flo-Jo, set the track ablaze, establishing world records in the 100 and 200 meters that remain unbroken. Rocking her standout one-legged leotards, long nails, and flowing hair, Flo-Jo turned the track into her personal runway, capturing hearts and becoming an icon way ahead of her time. Fast forward to today, and we see Sha’Carri Richardson, often compared to the late legend, bringing that same fierce style and blazing speed.

Even 26 years after Flo-Jo’s passing, her records still stand strong, with only a few ever coming close. But at just 24, Sha’Carri Richardson, the 2023 World Champion and reigning queen of the 100-meter, has achieved something even Flo-Jo didn’t.

A feat Sha’Carri Richardson achieved that Flo-Jo missed out on

On May 5, 2023, at the prestigious Doha Diamond League, Sha’Carri Richardson blazed through the 100-meter race in 10.76 seconds, making her the fastest woman in the world for 2023. It was pointed out that Sha’Carri Richardson is the only U.S. woman to break 10.80 seconds since 2017, and she achieved the feat five times with this win.

This tied her for second-most in U.S. history, just behind Marion Jones’ 13 non-stripped times. When comparing their top 10 fastest times, Flo-Jo, on the other hand, broke the 10.80-second barrier four times, while Richardson has already surpassed it five times. As we reflect on this, let’s look at other extraordinary feats the 24-year-old Sha’Carri Richardson has achieved.

Other blazing feats set by the 2023 World Champion

It is important to note that Sha’Carri Richardson is also the second woman in history from any nation to break 10.80 seconds on five occasions before turning 24. Just three months after her feat at the Doha Diamond League, she made history again by winning the women’s 100 meters at the 2023 Track and Field World Championships in Budapest on August 21, 2023, with a time of 10.65 seconds—an event record and the fifth fastest run of all time. What made this even more impressive was her age; at just 23, she became the second youngest sprinter ever to break the sub-10.70 barrier in the 100 meters, a milestone Flo-Jo reached at 28.

Richardson first grabbed the spotlight in 2019 as a freshman at LSU, where she ran 10.75 seconds to break the 100-meter collegiate record at the NCAA Division I Championships. This incredible time made her one of the ten fastest women in history at just 19 years old. Her 2024 season is off to a blazing start, showcasing her dominance by clinching gold at the Prefontaine Classic. With the Paris 2024 Olympics approaching, all eyes will be on Sha’Carri Richardson as she aims to continue her record-breaking streak and bring home Olympic gold. However, does she stand a chance of surpassing Flo-Jo’s world records? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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