Kicking off with a bang, the 2024 Diamond League took flight today in Xiamen, China, marking another stride towards Paris 2024. The highly anticipated event boasted a star-studded lineup, including reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, eager to kickstart her journey towards the Paris 2024 Olympics on a triumphant note. However, the excitement quickly intensified as “slightly terrified” and “very excited” Torrie Lewis pulled off a stunning win in the women’s 200m, beating the favorite, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, in a thrilling finish.

Just 19 years old and running from the less-favored lane 9, Torrie Lewis clocked in at 22.93 seconds, claiming her first-ever victory in the prestigious series. The race was highly anticipated as Richardson’s comeback to individual competition after her relay run at the Florida Relays. Despite her impressive track record as a double world gold medalist, Richardson finished a close second with 22.99 seconds. Now, the spotlight shifted to this emerging 19-year-old star, who was just awestruck by her own performance!

“It was so surreal beating Sha’Carri. I didn’t even notice I beat them until I saw the replay and I was like, ‘Holy Crap!’ So surreal!” Lewis said. “My goal was to just hold on as long as I could. I was in lane nine so I knew they would all be in front of me by 50 or 60 metres, but I just wanted to do as well as I could.” As victorious as she was in Xiamen, track and field weren’t the sport she started with!

Torrie Lewis: the multi-talented athlete

Born in Nottingham, England, in 2005, Lewis, along with her parents, relocated to Australia. She pursued gymnastics, and her early promise in the sport hinted at her athleticism. But it was on the track where she truly shone. By the age of 16, Lewis had already made a mark on the track, clocking an impressive 11.33s in the 100m, placing her among the fastest U18 women in the world. Her talent and dedication to training truly paid off when, at 18, she clinched the Australian National Championship titles in 100m and 200m events. But that was not it.

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In January 204, Lewis made history. With a blistering time of 11.10s in 100m, Lewis not only broke the Australian U20 record but also surpassed the open women’s record, previously held by Melissa Breen. This victory placed her among the top U20 athletes globally. Adding to the list of accolades, she joined forces with Ebony Lane, Bree Masters, and Ella Connoly to set a national record in the 4x100m relay at the Sydney Track Classic. However, April 2024 turned out to be the best for her so far.

In an interview with Citius Mag Lewis stated, “I’ve come here straight from the nationals, knowing this was my opponents’ season-opener so I knew I had an edge coming in, but I just wasn’t entirely sure because I had never raced those athletes before.” And for her, it seems like this is just a start!

Torrie Lewis’s pursuit of Olympic Gold beyond the 100m dash

Torrie Lewis has shattered records and expectations alike, emerging as the nation’s fastest woman over 100m earlier this year. However, amidst the fervor surrounding her unprecedented achievement, Lewis is charting an unexpected course toward the Paris Olympics. Surprisingly, the blue-riband 100m event, where she’s etched her name in history, isn’t atop her priority list as she vies for a spot in the upcoming Games. At just 19 years old, Lewis’s strategic decision might confound some, but for her, it’s a deliberate move rooted in her assessment of strengths and ambitions.

In a recent statement at the Australian team’s uniform launch in Sydney, Lewis revealed her inclination towards the 200m dash, a discipline she believes aligns more closely with her athletic prowess. Despite the allure of the 100m, where she now holds the national record with a blistering time of 11.10 seconds, Lewis sees greater potential for success in the longer sprint. Expressing her rationale, she emphasized her innate sense of suitability for the 200m, hinting at a desire to compete and dominate on the international stage.