Who would you say is the greatest rival Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has ever faced on the track? Undoubtedly, Sha’Carri Richardson is a name that comes to mind. In their first clash at the 2019 Prefontaine Classic, Richardson ran 11.15 to Fraser-Pryce’s 11.39. But in 2021, at Gateshead, Richardson clocked 11.44, narrowly beating Fraser-Pryce’s 11.51. Across eight thrilling encounters, Richardson now leads their head-to-head 5–3. Anyone else? Elaine Thompson-Herah is perhaps her fiercest long-term rival, especially in Olympic and World Championship 100m finals.

Remember the 2022 World Championships? Pryce secured gold in 10.67s, with Thompson-Herah taking bronze (10.77s) in the 100m. But the tables were turned in the 200m as Herah earned bronze (22.02s), while Fraser-Pryce finished 4th (22.18s). Their head-to-head stands at 4-9. So, you might argue that she is perhaps the biggest rival of the mommy rocket, but when asked, the Jamaican had a different answer.

“One of the competitors, I would, offhand, I would say that really, like, when you go to a meet and their name is on the line up with your name, be like, I would say Carmelita, you know, because she was just so fierce, you know, it didn’t matter if I went in the race with the best time, or I was the champion going in, or home in the medals. She was coming.” Shelly revealed in the Diamond League press conference today, when she was asked about her biggest rival. Well, no debates here because Carmelita Jeter has been that athlete who made the Jamaican sweat.

One of the most notable instances was at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, where Jeter sprinted to gold in the 100 meters with a time of 10.90 seconds, leaving Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the then-Olympic gold medalist, in fourth place with 10.99 seconds. Then at the 2012 London Olympics, where Fraser-Pryce narrowly defended her title with a time of 10.75 seconds, edging out Jeter, who clocked 10.78 seconds. The list goes on for these two.

The two of them have been head-to-head thirty-three times, and the record stands at 14-19 in Shelly’s favor. Their rivalry has been marked with constant back and forth, with no clear domination from either one of them.

Pryce added, “And everybody knew when her technique was so solid. So for me, I had to make sure that I was technically sound with her.” Jeter’s technique included an explosive block start, powerful knee drive, and strong core stability. Shelly has also always been quick out of the blocks. Yet the Jamaican confessed…

“It was just her aura, what she brought. When I would sit at the line, I would watch her warm up, and she’d be like, ‘Yeah.’ And I’m like, ‘OK, girl.'”

Now, speaking of rivalries and Shelly, the mommy rocket has an interesting take on her rivalry with Sha’Carri Richardson, as well.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her rivalry with Sha’Carri Richardson

Back in 2021, the world was buzzing with a new rivalry in the women’s 100m – Shelly-Ann, Elaine Thompson, and Sha’Carri Richardson. What sparked the fire was when Shelly-Ann was snapped smirking during Sha’Carri’s interview. This was during the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Richardson, making her comeback after a suspension, finished last in the 100m final with a time of 11.19 seconds. Shelly had finished 2nd in 10.73 behind Elaine Thompson’s 10.54.

She later said that it was unintentional, but Sha’Carri used that image as her social media profile picture as a response. Later that year, the Jamaican opened up about this rivalry.

“I think for me, how I handle it is just stay true to who I am, be who I am, show my personality, stand at the line, and perform and dominate. You still have a mutual respect for each other.” She also added that she is not going to stand in the shadows, not going to stand at the line, and act like she doesn’t want it. The Jamaican confessed that she wants it just as much as anybody else does.

Addressing the media, she stressed that athletes still want to win but maintain mutual respect once they cross the finish line. Mommy Rocket also shared, “It’s good to have the media being focused on us as women and what we are bringing to the table and how we’re showing up and how we’re dominating.”

Sha’Carri has also talked about how she has been inspired by Fraser-Pryce. Now, the two are set to clash in Tokyo at the World Championships. Who do you think will grab the title?