Sha’Carri Richardson has delivered some of the most electrifying sprints in recent years—but 2025 isn’t off to the flying start many hoped for. Skipping marquee meets like the Grand Slam Track series already raised eyebrows, and now, a surprising loss to Bree Rizzo at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Japan has sparked fresh concern. Yet as things were already spiraling, now there’s one more expert who has his own take on Sha’Carri’s current condition. It also sparks the question: is Sha’Carri’s season already slipping off track?

After all, things just don’t seem to come together for Sha’Carri this time. She clocked in at 11.47 seconds—not her sharpest performance—finishing 4th despite running into a slight headwind. Meanwhile, Australia’s Bree Rizzo powered through to take the win with 11.38s, and fellow American Twanisha Terry wasn’t far behind, finishing at 11.42s. As Sha’Carri stood at the finish, hands on hips and eyes fixed on the scoreboard, the frustration was hard to miss.

Even Sha’Carri Richardson’s staunchest supporters know the expectations for her this season are sky-high—especially in the 100m. But it seems David Robinson, aka Coach Rob, has deep confidence in her. As Coach Rob candidly put it on his ‘Coach Rob Track and Field‘ YouTube channel, “Sha’Carri is going to have to show up at the World Championship, and anything less than winning a gold medal in the 100…” would be seen as a letdown. The bar has been set, and not just by fans or pundits—but by her own past performances.

Last year, Richardson stunned the world with a blistering 10.65s to clinch gold at the World Championships in Budapest, dethroning Jamaican powerhouses and establishing herself as a force in women’s sprinting. That moment redefined her career—but it also raised the stakes. “Let’s assume that she doesn’t win the 200-meter gold… she might get a medal like she did in the past,” Robinson continued, before adding, “but let’s just assume she won’t win the 200-meter gold for the moment—which maybe that’s not a safe assumption because she has the talent.”

Robinson’s emphasis, however, remained clear: “As far as the 100, which is clearly her best event, we are expecting her to win. That is the prevailing narrative. Of course, there are other women who can do it.” With contenders like Julien Alfred, Shericka Jackson, and Marie-Josée Ta Lou consistently clocking sub-10.9s this season, Richardson won’t just need to show up—she’ll need to show dominance. But the question looms: will she be able to?

Can Sha’Carri Richardson bounce back after a shaky season opener?

Sha’Carri Richardson’s 2025 season opener at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix wasn’t exactly the kind of statement fans were hoping for. Clocking 11.47 seconds and finishing fourth, behind Bree Rizzo, the reigning world champion appeared off rhythm. The post-race image of her standing with hands on hips, scanning the results board, said more than words could.

While some might jump to conclusions, others—like Coach David Robinson—see two sides to this story. “If you’re asking the question, should we be concerned, should we be worried about Sha’Carri—not really,” he said on his YouTube channel. Still, he admitted, “There’s two ways to take this,” and that nuance matters. One of the key factors shaping Sha’Carri’s current trajectory is her automatic qualification for the 2025 World Championships.

Thanks to her gold medal in the 100m at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, she doesn’t need to run at the U.S. Trials this year. While that sounds like a perk—and it is—it’s also a double-edged sword. As Robinson put it, “Getting a bye to the Worlds… some people say it’s a blessing, but it could also be a curse.” He drew a direct parallel to Fred Kerley’s 2023 season. Like Sha’Carri, Kerley had a free pass to the Worlds but underwhelmed when it mattered most.

“Just saying,” Robinson added, “I actually think that running at the trials or the USA Championships is a pretty good preparation competitively.” In other words, skipping key competitions could leave even the best a little undercooked. So, does Sha’Carri risk falling into the same trap? Possibly—but history shows she knows how to recalibrate. In 2023, she built her season methodically, shaking off a slow start and peaking exactly when it mattered most.

That strategy paid off with a world title and a personal best of 10.65 s—making her the fifth-fastest woman of all time. Her coach, Dennis Mitchell, has often emphasized the importance of pacing her season and avoiding burnout. The Japan trip might’ve been more about shaking off rust and testing competition conditions than dominating the field. But in an Olympic year, every race tells a story, and the plot is already thickening.

With names like Julien Alfred, Shericka Jackson, and Marie-Josée Ta Lou showing blistering form already this season, the margin for error is shrinking. While Sha’Carri has the talent and track record to rebound, fans and critics alike will be watching her next move closely. But one thing’s certain: a shaky start doesn’t write the ending—but it does make the comeback that much more fascinating.