Sha'Carri Richardson Warns Rivals After US Championships Win: 'I'm Not Back, I'm Better'

(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) EUGENE, OREGON - Sha'Carri Richardson reacts after winning the Women's 100m Final during the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on July 07, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.

Sha'Carri Richardson has sent a warning to her opponents that her return is not just about making up for lost time but more like dominating the competition.

Richardson was suspended in 2021 for dope use and missed some competitions. She participated in the 2022 USATF Championships but was not good enough to compete in the World Athletics Championship.

However, it did not look like there was a dip in form during her run at the USA Track and Field championships. She won the women's 100 at Hayward Field with a 10.82 record.

Talking to NBC's Lewis Johnson after the run, Richardson insisted that she has always been a champion.

Congratulations to our Foundational Black American sista Sha'Carri Richardson for her big win today #FBA #StandUp pic.twitter.com/FzFjwvx89k
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) July 8, 2023

"The thing I remember the most the last time, I stood here with you (in 2021) and I did the interview... But now I'm standing here with you again and I'm ready, mentally, physically, and emotionally," he told Johnson to the cheers of fans. "And I'm here to stay. "I'm not back, I'm better."

Fans missed her, swag is noticed

Some fans may misinterpret Richardson's swag and confidence, but many still supported the 23-year-old. "I've never seen anything like it," said NBA analyst Emmanuel Acho.

Sha’Carri Richardson is different!!!

During in stadium introductions she took off her bright orange wig and tossed it to the side.. the whole crowd ERUPTED!!!!

I’ve never seen anything like it 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/fn5OVNiC0r
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) July 8, 2023

I know good and got d@mn well Miss Sha'Carri didn't rip off her wig right before the race. 💀 With that said, its good to see somebody talked some sense into her and now she is figuratively & literally back on track. The orange wig laying on the track sent me tho 🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/Q3p6dHklIF
— Petty Pablo (@electricsoul123) July 8, 2023

I really need the internet to be as loud when Sha’Carri Richardson is winning national championships as it was when she was struggling. Matter fact I need the internet to be louder. I love seeing her win!
— C.J. Lawrence (@CJLawrenceEsq) July 9, 2023

I only want good things for Sha’Carri Richardson. The way she was pilloried during the last Olympics cycle was absurd and shameful. Completely embarrassing to see grown adults clutch their pearls over an elite athlete smoking a joint. I hope she wins every damn race she enters.
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) July 8, 2023