HANOI – Kayla Richardson regained the label of the fastest woman in the region after taking home the gold in the women’s 100-meter of the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the My Dinh National Stadium on Wednesday.
Kayla Richardson the fastest woman in region again
Richardson clocked 11.60 seconds to rule the event she previously won in 2015 in Singapore, to take the Philippines’ 37th gold and the third for the day.
After a slow start, Richardson sprinted away from the field in the final 50 meters to win the gold.
The 24-year-old Richardson was happy with the result more so since she has been battling through a hamstring injury in the months leading up to the SEA Games.
“It feels amazing. I’m so blessed and grateful. It took everything to make this happen,” said Richardson, who was seen holding back her emotions shortly after crossing the line.
“The season has been a roller coaster, just trying to get healthy and be able to put it all together tonight was just everything,” said Richardson.
“I just had a hamstring injury probably two months ago. My coach was just like, we will be ready by SEA Games and we were ready by SEA Games,” she said.
“We probably all know that my start is always terrible but I just knew if I stayed with them enough, I would be able to go get them. I just had to get out and stay relaxed and I know my speed would get me to where I needed to be,” the University of Southern California said.
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