Fastest woman in the world: How Sha'Carri Richardson 100m times compare to FloJo, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce records

The coronation started with a bang, the opening salvo rippling through the air like a kite. Sha'Carri Richardson stood on the other side of the track, undaunted, unconquered and unstoppable as she flew across the track.

Her feet barely touched the surface. And yet, by the time she reached the finish line, she had an entirely new distinction, one that seemed worlds away when she was caught up in the mire of unjust penalties and hateful comments two years prior: world champion.

Richardson sprinted to glory on Monday, racing past her competition — which included Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson to capture gold in the 100 meters at the World Championships. With her win, Richardson etched her name in track history; her 10.65-second time was a World Championship record, surpassing Fraser-Pryce's 10.67 time from last year's iteration of the event.

It was a coronation of sorts for Richardson, who mimicked placing a crown on her head after leaving her competition in the dust on the outside lane.

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Richardson's showing cemented her status as one of the fastest women in the history of the sport. But just where does she rank among the greats? Here's what you need to know.

Who is the fastest woman in the world?

With her blazing run in Budapest, Richardson staked her claim as the fastest woman on the planet. It was a long-time coming for the 23-year old, who is only two years removed from being barred from the same race in the Olympics after testing positive for marijuana — a drug that was legal in the state she allegedly consumed it in, but is still prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Richardson nabbed her accomplishment in about as challenging a manner as possible. Starting the race at the furthest outside lane, Richardson wasn't able to see Fraser-Pryce or Jackson through her peripherals. So, she ran. She ran until she couldn't run any longer. And when she crossed the boundary and reached the promised land, she lifted her arms to the heavens. She always knew she was the fastest woman in the world. Now, the world does, too.

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Fastest women's 100m times ever

Richardson's run puts her in historic company; she's one of a handful of women to break the 10.7-second barrier, joining the likes of reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, former Olympic gold medalist Carmelita Jeter and Marion Jones, as well as Fraser-Pryce.

Still, all of them are playing catchup to record-holder Florence Griffith-Joyner, who posted a scintillating 10.49 in 1988 that remains untouched. Griffith-Joyner's record has stood the test of time some 35 years later, although Thompson-Herah got close to the mark in 2021; the Jamaican fell .05 seconds short of FloJo's record at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. 

Here's a list of the fastest women's 100m performances in track history: