US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson wins 2026 Stawell Gift off scratch in thrilling finish

• American crosses in 13.15s ahead of Australia’s Charlotte Nielsen

• Olufemi Komolafe wins men’s final without US’s Christian Coleman

American sprint queen Sha’Carri Richardson has lived up to her star status as she chased down the field off scratch to win the 2026 Stawell Gift in a thrilling finish.

The Olympic 100m silver medallist and sixth-fastest woman in the world joined hundreds of local spectators and athletes in the small rural town 200km north-west of Melbourne on Monday to take part in the 120m handicap grass race for the first time.