Alfred Edges Richardson in 100m thriller

Julien Alfred, the new sprint queen

Richardson takes silver in Budapest showdown

WEB Budapest (AFP) – Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia claimed Saint Lucia's first-ever global track and field medal with a stunning 100m victory at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Saturday.

Alfred, 20, led from start to finish to win in a time of 10.72 seconds, ahead of American ShaCarri Richardson (10.75) and Jamaican Shericka Jackson (10.76).

The victory was a major upset, as Richardson was the pre-race favorite after winning the event at the US Championships in Eugene last month in a world-leading time of 10.85.

Alfred, on the other hand, had only run 10.99 this season and was not considered a medal contender.

But the Saint Lucian sprinter got off to a great start in the final and never looked back, holding off a late charge from Richardson to win by a narrow margin.

“I'm so happy,” said Alfred. “I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and my country.”

Richardson was gracious in defeat, saying: “Julien ran a great race and deserved to win.”

Alfred's victory is a major breakthrough for Saint Lucia, a small island nation with a population of just 180,000 people.

It is also a major step forward for women's sprinting, as Alfred is the first woman from the Caribbean to win the 100m at the World Championships.