Sha’Carri Richardson’s attempted return to sprint supremacy just got a lot tougher. The two-time Olympic medalist hit a rough patch, grabbing just two podium finishes in 2025 while Shericka Jackson rained on her parade at Worlds, finishing ahead. However, neither claimed the 100m crown. It meant that the nightmare continued for Richardson, and now the rivals square off again, this time in the 200m.

That has officially been confirmed by FloTrack, which has released a list of confirmed sprinters that will be competing in the 200m at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on May 16. The list includes four American sprinters, including McKenzie Long, Jenna Prandini, Anavia Battle, and Richardson herself, alongside Shericka Jackson, Amy Hunt, and China’s Chen Yujie.

However, the standout battle is arguably Jackson vs Richardson yet again, especially after the two missed out on their chance in 2024. That was because Jackson had to withdraw due to an injury, while Richardson eventually finished third. That’s even if the American speedster has been well off her usual mark recently. 

Her off-track controversies have certainly played their part, but Richardson will be hoping to put those behind her to end a losing streak against a Jamaican sprinter who seems to have her number.

That especially applies to the 200m, as Jackson is the second-fastest woman ever in the history of the race, having run 21.41 seconds at the 2023 World Championships. She beat Sha’Carri Richardson on her way to the gold medal, then, as the American finished third, clocking in at 21.92s. Not too far behind, mind you, but far enough that it made a difference, and the two haven’t faced off in the 200m since.

Since 2021, Richardson and Jackson have raced each other 13 times in the 100m. Jackson leads 7-6 overall (including heats) and 5-4 in finals, with Richardson’s last win coming at the 2023 World Championships (10.65s).

And while Richardson has yet to open her season, Jackson already has two wins to her name in as many races. But that hasn’t worried Sha’Carri Richardson, who believes her 2026 season is on course to be legendary.

Sha’Carri Richardson eyeing ‘legendary’ 2026 season

What will likely make it even tougher for the 26-year-old American is the fact that, unlike her, Jackson thrived in 2025 upon her return from injury. The Jamaican sprinter podiumed in all but one final she reached during the season, including the 200m at the World Championships and the 2025 Poland Diamond League meet.

She has won three gold, four silver, and two bronze medals and has already won two gold medals after starting her 2026 season early. Still, Sha’Carri Richardson feels hyped for her upcoming season and believes her performances will show the world exactly what she can do.

“Honestly, for myself, I’m super excited for this season because I have a feeling that it’s going to be something legendary — not legendary just on the track, but legendary as the woman that I’m designed to be,” Richardson said, as per Olympics.com.

“I’m super excited to take on the challenge to do that in front of the world… and stand firm in everything that I know I have been working on.”

The 26-year-old opens her season in Australia at the Stawell Gift (April 4-6) and aims to kick it off perfectly before the Shanghai Diamond League meet. But only time will tell whether 2026 will finally be the year that Sha’Carri Richardson ends her 200m drought against Shericka Jackson.