Sha'Carri Richardson scripts history with stunning Stawell Gift victory - Third woman ever to win the famous handicap sprint race from scratch

American sprint star Sha'Carri Richardson scripted history by winning the prestigious Stawell Gift on Monday, becoming only the third woman ever to claim the iconic title from scratch in the 144th edition of the event. The American sprint star delivered a stunning performance in the unique handicap race, showcasing her explosive speed and composure under pressure. Her victory marks a significant milestone in the event’s long history, which dates back to the 19th century. Richardson’s triumph not only adds another achievement to her growing resume but also highlights her global appeal, as she continues to shine on some of the sport’s biggest stages.

Richardson clocked 13.15 seconds to win the handicap race, overcoming a deficit of up to nine meters given to her competitors at the start. Charlotte Nielsen, who began with a 9-meter head start over Richardson, held a strong lead in the final stretch of the race.



However, Richardson surged late with a powerful finish, overtaking Nielsen at the line and pumping her fists in celebration as she made history.

Earlier, the Olympic gold medalist had to use every inch of the 120m track to edge her semi-final in 13.52 seconds - winning by the narrowest of margins - by just a millimetre.


Richardson is among the fastest women in history, having won a silver medal in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a gold medal in the 4x100 relay at the same Games.

The Stawell Gift featured over 700 competitors, including many of Australia’s top runners, and was held roughly 235 kilometers west of Melbourne. Both the men’s and women’s finals offered prize money of 40,000 Australian dollars.