FIL-AM Kyla Richardson has been mistakenly viewed as a replacement to Southeast Asian (SEA) Games double-gold medalist Kristina Knott, who pulled out recently due to a foot injury.
In truth, the 24-year-old Ms. Richardson is a legitimate gold contender not just in the 100 meters but also in the 200m after snaring the sprint doubles triumph in the 2022 Pac West Championships in San Diego last week.
Ms. Richardson, who is coached by former Jamaican Olympian Robert Foster at Fresno Pacific, clocked 11.31 seconds in the century dash and 23.12 in the 200m, which makes her a legitimate gold contender in both events in the Hanoi Games set on May 12 to 23.
Her 100m time is faster than the 11.54 set by Vietnamese Le Tu Chinh in snatching the mint in the 2019 edition at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac while her 200m clocking was closer to Ms. Knott’s gold-winning 23.01 also in Capas.
Incidentally, both Mses. Knott and Le backed out due to injuries, leaving the golds in the sprint events up for a picking.
If it happens, Ms. Richardson will have a chance at becoming the first to win the two sprint events since legendary Lydia de Vega-Mercado achieved the same feat in Singapore 29 years ago.
Ms. Richardson, though stressed, is not putting too much pressure on herself come Hanoi.
“This season, I’m trying not to have too much pressure on me and just keep doing what I do, run and have a fun experience,” said a shy Ms. Richardson, who will compete alongside twin sister Kayla. — Joey Villar