EUGENE, OREGON: In a stunning display of speed and determination, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Gabby Thomas claimed victory in the women's 200m event at the US athletics championships held on Sunday, July 9. Thomas, who opted out of the 100m race this week, blazed past her competitors, including 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, in a scintillating performance that solidified her dominance in the field.
Record-breaking run
Clocking an impressive time of 21.60 seconds, Thomas not only achieved a personal best but also set a meet record and recorded the fastest time of the year, establishing herself as the world leader in the event. The race took place with a slight headwind of -0.4m/sec, but it didn't hinder Thomas' remarkable sprint to the finish line. Speaking to NBC News, an elated Thomas expressed her joy at reclaiming the title: "It felt really good to reclaim my title. Coming here last year and being injured was really heartbreaking for me. I was really ready this year. I was hungry, I wanted it more than I think anyone."
Thomas had returned to Hayward Field, the venue of the championships, for the first time since a previous injury hampered her performance at the nationals last year. Fully recovered in 2023, she dominated the first heat with a time of 22.28 seconds and secured the third-fastest overall time on Saturday. Reflecting on her journey, Thomas expressed her growth and determination to overcome adversity: "Last time I was here, I was injured, and last time I was in this mixed zone talking to you, I was crying because of my injury, but I've come a long way since then. I finished that season pretty strong, even just coming back from that injury that year was really healthy for me. This year, we've learned a lot. I've been a little bit more conservative in my training and my race schedule, just giving me that opportunity to come out here and have the chance to win."
Strategic decision
Thomas chose to skip the 100m race in Oregon, opting to preserve her energy for her signature event, the 200m. This decision was influenced by her coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, who advised her to focus on the 200m. Initially hesitant, Thomas acknowledged that her conservative approach to training and race selection had paid off. As Thomas crossed the finish line with a wide smile, the stadium's public address system reverberated with the announcement, "Ladies and gentlemen, the fastest time in the world is here!" Celebrating her victory, Thomas embraced second-place finisher Sha'Carri Richardson before dropping to the track where she had achieved her two fastest 200m times ever.
With her remarkable performance, Gabby Thomas secured a spot in the World Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Budapest, Hungary, in late August. The top three finishers from the US championships earned a place on the national team, ensuring Thomas' representation in the prestigious event. Richardson, who triumphed in the 100m race on Friday, finished second with a time of 21.94 seconds.
What is Gabby Thomas' net worth?
Outside of her athletic accomplishments, Gabby Thomas has established herself as a successful figure in the sporting world. While her exact net worth remains undisclosed, it is estimated to be between 1 million to 5 million dollars, according to SportsLumo. Thomas has garnered endorsement deals and sponsorships from renowned brands such as New Balance, HOTSHOT, Whoop, and Lenovo ThinkPad, further solidifying her stature as an influential athlete in the industry.
