The past just won’t seem to let go of Christian Coleman. Well, Coleman, better known these days as Sha’Carri Richardson’s boyfriend, has had a bumpy start to the 2025 season. Fans were expecting fireworks, but instead, they got a few head-scratching results. It all started at the Xiamen Diamond League, where Coleman finished 4th with a time of 10.18 seconds. Not bad, but not up to his usual lightning-fast standards. Things didn’t get better from there. At the Suzhou Meet, he ran 10.13 seconds and ended up in 5th place. Not exactly what he was hoping for, especially when you consider that South Africa’s Akani Simbine snatched the win with a 9.98, and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, despite his hamstring struggles, zipped to 9.99.

Naturally, the trolls didn’t hold back. Social media was flooded with comparisons to his prime years, with many questioning if he was still the sprinter they all loved to watch. But Coleman? He wasn’t letting the noise get to him. Instead, he took a step back and posted a message on X that was all about perspective. “First few races haven’t gone exactly as expected, but the good thing is I know what I’m capable of 🤞🏾 I feel it every day in practice.”

A simple, yet powerful reminder that setbacks don’t define him. It’s all about what he’s capable of when the chips are down. Now, let’s talk about that Suzhou race for a sec. Despite the loss, the real story here was Kishane Thompson’s incredible comeback. The Jamaican sprinter, battling injuries, managed to run 9.99 seconds and leave Coleman behind.

But that’s the beauty of track and field—sometimes, it’s not just about the numbers, but about how athletes rise after tough seasons. Although Coleman failed to win, he stayed focused on the future events this season despite the outcome of his previous race. From beginning to end, Sha’Carri Richardson stood solidly behind his side to silence those who criticized him.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s backbone in Coleman’s journey

Following her loss at the Shanghai Diamond League, Sha’Carri Richardson didn’t mince words. Through Instagram, Sha’Carri Richardson directed a passionate message toward public judgment when Christian Coleman failed at the Shanghai Diamond League with a time of 10.13 seconds. Through her intense storytelling, she made it clear to everyone that she does not tolerate criticism.

“Enough is enough.” Sha’Carri Richardson expressed herself strongly by saying, “Don’t take criticism from someone you won’t take advice from.” She used these words to tell others to keep hateful comments out of their way. She stands fully behind him throughout the entire ordeal. Remember the biggest heartbreak? After missing Tokyo 2020 due to a suspension, Coleman came roaring back in 2024, taking gold in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships and posting a blazing 9.83 in the 100m at the Diamond League finals.

The Olympic dream seemed back on track. But in the U.S. Olympic Trials, fate had other plans. A fourth-place finish in both the 100m and 200m meant no individual Olympic spot for him. The heartache didn’t end there—Coleman was part of the U.S. 4x100m relay pool, but a botched baton exchange in the final led to a disqualification. Team USA was out, leaving Canada with an unexpected gold, while South Africa and Great Britain took the other spots.

Through it all, Sha’Carri Richardson made sure to keep the support flowing. After the relay disaster, she shared a message that spoke volumes: “Keep your star player happy.” She also posted a video of Coleman pushing through a rain-soaked training session, adding, “His story is history.” Sha’Carri’s got his back no matter what, proving that no amount of criticism will break their bond.