Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman through to semis, Nielsen and Komolafe post fastest heat times

Date: 4th April 2026

The opening day of the 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift has delivered an exciting start to Australia’s most iconic professional footrace, with US sprint sensations Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman, both running off scratch and both winning their heats to make it through to the semi-finals on Easter Monday and attempt to be only the third men and women to win the feature races with a zero handicap. 

Receiving huge receptions from the Central Park crowds in ideal conditions, Sha’Carri won Heat 14 in a time of 13.82 and looked to ease up at the finish line. Coleman won Heat 22 in a time of 12.68 in a tight finish. Both athletes remain in contention to reach the finals on Monday.

Charlotte Nielsen, the 19-year-old from Carnegie, Melbourne had the fastest time in the heats of the Powercor Womens Gift (13.32) running off 9m followed by last year’s runner up Chiara Santiglia from Northcote (13.62) off a mark of 6.75m and Fitzroy’s Emma Carr (13.65) off the maximum mark of 10m.

Olufemi “Femi” Komolafe – a 21-year-old medical student from Adelaide who shares coach Paul Young with last year’s Powercor Stawell Gift winner John Evans – clocked the fastest heat time of 12.11 off 5m. Spencer Browne, coached by John Nicolosi running off 8.75m recorded a time of 12.29 off a handicap of 8.75m. Jake Ireland from his father Todd Ireland’s squad off 4.5m won his heat in 12.32 as did Dutch hurdler Liam van der Schaff off a mark of 6m.

Sha’Carri Richardson said after her race: “Running on grass, it felt like being a kid again playing tag. I had a great time, and it just woke my body up, this has been my first time running in 2026. It was about knocking the dust off, but chasing everyone made me activate and work on my race pattern, so it was a good first race.”

Talking to last year’s Powercor Womens Gift winner Bree Rizzo, only the 2nd woman to win off scratch, Sha’Carri added: “Sitting here talking to you, the little advice you gave me yesterday, a little cheat code, I feel very confident becoming number three.”

Coleman is enjoying the experience of competing in the Powercor Stawell  Gift. “It was amazing, we’ve been here (in Victoria) all week, so we’ve been having some incredible experiences. All the people, all the fans have been so nice and I’m so excited, it’s been great,” said the fastest 60m runner of all time.

“I have been working with my coaches for the past year or two, on really being able to just finish the last 40 (metres) after I go past 60. Obviously, this is even further, 120m, so I’m using this as a good training opportunity. I’m a competitor, so I want to come out here and win and try and see what I can do. I’ll just go back, recover and give it all I got in the semis and hope for the best in the final.”

Fastest heat winner Nielsen said: “I had a dream last night about running in a 13:32 so I’m pretty happy with that. I just wanted to get out hard and then finish strongly, that’s been the weakest part of my race, so that’s the bit that we’ve been working on most and I think I executed it alright.”

Santiglia said: “I learned a lot from last year. This year I’m focussing on myself, being present, enjoying it and most of all having fun.”

Carr said: “I’m glad to get my first run out of the way but definitely feel like I have room for improvement. Between now and Monday I’m gonna try my best to relax while keeping my body switched on. Seeing Sha’Carri run was really exciting! It would be pretty cool to be in the same semi as her but for now I think I’ll remain focused on what I can control.”

Olufemi is looking forward to racing against his hero Christian Coleman if he gets the opportunity on Monday.

“I was stressing around January because I had some shin splints and hamstring pulls but it’s all worked out and I’m ready,” Komolafe said.

“When I heard the news that he (Coleman) was coming, that’s what really lit the fire. I was kind of counting myself out after the injuries, but I heard he was running and I thought I have to make it here, have to be running well, as that would be the best thing ever to be able to run against him.”

Victorian Athletic League President Matt McDonough said: “Today delivered everything we love about the Powercor Stawell Gift, outstanding racing, great stories, and a fantastic atmosphere. We saw terrific victories across the mile and 800m events, alongside some truly enthralling performances from our international stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman. Sha’Carri in particular was incredibly impressive, transitioning to grass racing seamlessly.

“It was also great to see some standout runs from our regular athletes, which has really set the stage for what promises to be highly competitive semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s Gift on Monday. We’re looking forward to another big day of action tomorrow, heading into a jam-packed Easter Monday.”

In the Change our Game Womens 70m the three fastest women were all off a handicap of 7.25m. Tara Beasley recorded a time of 8.28, Ruby Crisp had a time of 8.44 and Katie Moore won her heat in 8.49.

The Arthur Postle 70m Mens saw tight fastest times with Leroy Dempsey recording 7.51, James Withnall  7.61 and Adam French 7.64. 

The first sash of the day went to Rob Irwin in the Past Runners and Trainers Association Masters 1600m in a time of 4:23.42 with Ryan Antidormi winning the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Backmarkers 1600m (4:01:68).

Other winners included Lucy Zotti in the Northern Grampians Shire Women’s 800m (2:08:04); Jack Densley in the Hipworth Athletic Club U18 800m (1:57:69); and Flynn Barnard in the Powercor Little Athletics 800m (2:05:41).

Fashions at Central Park added glamour to the day, with Kelly Carty was named Lady of the Day for the second year running and Keith Hamilton won for Best Dressed Gent each receiving $1000. Karlie Owen won Best Hat, again for the second year in a row, for the $250 prize.

Tickets for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are available from Ticketek or at the Box Office at the gate.

The finals of the Powercor Women’s Gift and Powercor Stawell Gift and other races are broadcast live and free on Seven from 11.30am AEST on Easter Monday April 6, and across all three days of the carnival on 7+.

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