Sha’Carri Richardson has been sharpening her nails lately for a reason. The proud lioness of track and field has clutched every accolade in her paws this year. From the U.S. National Championships to having the Dallas ISD Stadium named after her, this U.S. sprinter has proven her wondrous talent. Many track and field experts have linked her speed to genetics and mere natural ability. But is that enough? Is there no other factor propelling Sha’Carri Richardson to the top?

Sha’Carri Richardson has seen it all and experienced unimaginable pain within the first 23 years of her life. Now, she is being compensated for her troubles with the recognition she deserves. The USATF has deemed her worthy of the Female Athlete of the Year, which has aligned her growth with the belief of this award’s eponymous founder.

Sha’Carri Richardson in the footsteps of Jacqueline Joyner-Kersee

Sha’Carri Richardson received news on November 16 that she has won the USATF 2023 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award. This is one of the greatest honors in the US for female track and field athletes since its inception in 2013. Before that, top athletes of either gender received a split award called the United States’ track and field “Athlete of the Year” award or TAC. Team U.S.A. decided to create a separate category for the female athletes and chose Jackie Joyner-Kersee as the eponym. This was for a reason, as the iconic woman was the greatest female athlete of her time. Sports Illustrated went as far as to vote her the Greatest Female Athlete of All-Time. Joyner-Kersee’s influence on the sport is as strong as ever today as earlier this year, and she found a permanent place in the International Sports Hall of Fame.

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While exploring Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s story, her battle with asthma becomes a prominent aspect. Besides this health struggle, she had other predicaments to overcome for the ultimate glory at the Olympics. These head-scratching facts from her personal life have been the source of debate for many fans. Now, Sha’Carri Richardson has occupied this same level of attention and has become the subject of unbridled curiosity. Both women have trounced adversities to take the stage and showcase their incredible talent. Now, as Sha’Carri Richardson is getting ready for her first Olympic victory with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year Award, the words of her track and field predecessor will surely reverberate through her mind.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s advice for athletes

Jackie Joyner-Kersee has seen enough fame on the Olympic stage. As the six-time Olympian, she has earned multiple medals, including three gold medals. However, she is not foreign to disappointment and setbacks. On May 19, she unveiled the other side of the coin and how she dealt with it when losses came her way. Addressing the recent graduates of the University of Illinois at the Urbana-Champaign, Joyner-Kersee had an important message for the youth. In her speech at the ceremony, the celebrated track and field athlete recalled her bout of trouble in 1984. This was partly due to the intense pressure of expectations on her at the Olympic Games. This unnerved her and caused her to botch her first jump.

Subsequently, Joyner-Kersee won the silver medal, but she had “never trained to be second best”. The mid-tier podium finish sparked a fire in her, propelling her to greatness at the subsequent Olympic Games. The remarkable athlete was quoted as saying, “Do not be afraid of failure…Through failure, you will learn so much about yourselves. It will set you on the course to reach the goals that you set for yourself”. The light from her fiery zeal reflects in Sha’Carri Richardson, who has become the epitome of Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s philosophy.

Sha’Carri Richardson overcoming challenges for track and field glory

Sha’Carri Richardson’s track and field journey evokes a wide variety of emotions. From disgrace to redemption, her story is a true testament to Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s legacy. After losing her birth mother, the Dallas-born sprinter bolstered her spirits with drugs, which led to her getting banned from track and field competitions. Following this humiliation, she could not recover her stance in time for the 2022 World Athletics Championships. However, as her predecessor Joyner-Kersee said, “Rely on your knowledge. Do not doubt yourself.” Richardson stayed resolute throughout the ordeal.

Sha’Carri Richardson Reveals How Grandmother’s Tough Lesson Pushed Her Towards Excellence From Young Age

Sha’Carri Richardson’s belief in herself has resulted in a stupendous season. Now, she is edging closer to the pinnacle of her vocation and needs the final push for the Olympic glory. Many experts believe that she would have a better chance of success if she trained under the “mad scientist” Bob Kersee. This legendary track and field coach is husband to Jackie Joyner-Kersee and has trained many legendary women such as Florence Griffith Joyner, Allyson Felix, Natasha Hastings, and Sydney McLaughlin. Nevertheless, as Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s secret tip, inner confidence is the key to true success. In a sport where every second matters, which is more important- technical training or mental strength? Comment with your thoughts below.

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