IShowSpeed looking forward to race Sha’Carri Richardson after Noah Lyles showdown
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.12.24. | 22:00
The bold challenge has reignited debates about Speed’s racing ambitions, with fans and critics alike taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts
American YouTuber and streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, is determined to keep proving his speed.
After a closely-watched 50m sprint against Olympic champion Noah Lyles, the 19-year-old content creator has now issued a challenge to none other than world champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson.
“I gotta race Sha’Carri Richardson,” the Cincinnati native declared during a recent YouTube stream, reacting to an AI-generated video of Richardson outrunning French soccer star Kylian Mbappé.
“There’s no way Sha’Carri is faster than Mbappé. She’s not faster than me though–me and her gotta race.”
Speed added: “If y’all don’t know Sha’Carri Richardson, she’s the fastest woman alive–from my understanding.”
The bold challenge has reignited debates about Speed’s racing ambitions, with fans and critics alike taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts.
“Good idea. She’s going to crush him like she would crush Mbappé. It will calm his fantasies,” one X user said.
Others found humour in the matter, drawing comparisons to recent spectacles like Jake Paul’s boxing match with retired legend Mike Tyson.
One commenter even suggested a twist, saying, “Tell him to race her boyfriend,” referencing rumours linking Richardson and American sprinter Christian Coleman.
Unknown to many, Speed was a sprinter in high school and has demonstrated his athletic abilities in soccer matches, backflips, sprinting challenges, and even jumping over moving cars.
Despite his self-proclaimed speed, however, Lyles easily defeated him in their November race, though Speed insists the match was a tie.
“Now, everybody is scared to race me,” Speed joked during a Monday 11 November stream, doubling down on his confidence.
While many dismiss Speed’s challenges as publicity stunts, others see a silver lining. He boasts 35 million TikTok followers, 26 million Instagram followers, and 33 million YouTube subscribers, Speed’s massive platform could shine a spotlight on track and field.
Some Reddit users pointed out that his ventures could help introduce the sport to a younger, more diverse audience.
Even if Speed’s claim to the 2028 Olympics seems far-fetched, his infectious energy and high-profile challenges could inject a dose of entertainment into the sport.
