Sha'Carri Richardson has won the 2026 Stawell Gift from scratch, becoming the iconic Australian meet's most famous winner ever. She stopped the clock at a frighteningly fast 13.15 seconds for the 120m uphill grass event.
What happened?
Richardson, the Olympic gold medallist and four-time world champion, came from behind to win the race, mowing down Aussie teenager Charlotte Nielsen at Central Park on Easter Monday.
The race
The American track and field superstar handled the handicap race with aplomb, running on grass for the first time. Bruce McAvaney said on Channel 7: "Sha'Carri's running her down, running her down, it's so close... she's got up! She's come from the clouds."
Reaction
Richardson was ecstatic to be in the Victorian country town of Stawell, saying: "Thank you. The love, the support, the true enjoyment that I had on the track, I know everybody's having here." She also thanked the crowd for fuelling her to victory.
The final
Richardson's win came after a dramatic semi-final, where she almost failed to qualify for the final. She flew through the field, but pulled up several metres before the line, almost costing her the win. McAvaney said: "It's absolutely drama at its highest. Only in the last centimetres do we think Sha'Carri's got there."
Richardson's boyfriend, Christian Coleman, failed to overcome his scratch handicap in the men's semi. The 30-year-old holds the 60m indoor world record.
The men's Stawell Gift was won by Australian Olufemi Komolafe, ahead of Jake Ireland and Dutch hurdler Liam van der Schaaf. Brendan Matthews was a late scratching from the final due to a hamstring injury.
Richardson's win is her latest achievement, following her 2023 100m world title and second place in the blue-riband sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She becomes the third woman to win the handicap race off scratch, following Aussie Bree Rizzo's win in 2025.
The Stawell Gift is one of the most prestigious athletics events in Australia, and Richardson's win will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments in the event's history.
Richardson's time of 13.15 seconds is a testament to her speed and endurance, and she will look to build on this win in her future competitions.
The crowd at Central Park was electric, cheering on Richardson as she crossed the finish line. Her win was met with applause and cheers, and she was visibly emotional as she celebrated her victory.
The 2026 Stawell Gift will be remembered for years to come, thanks to Richardson's incredible win. She has cemented her place as one of the greatest athletes in the world, and her win will inspire countless young athletes to follow in her footsteps.