American Sanya Richards Wins the 400 Meters

Olympic bronze medalist Sanya Richards ran the fastest women's 400 meters at the world championships Tuesday, defeating Shericka Williams of Jamaica. Richards finished with a time of 49.00 seconds, 0.32 seconds faster than Williams who finished second at the Beijing Olympics. Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia took bronze with 49.71.

Richards failed to qualify for the 2007 world championships in the 400 due to her illness. Richards suffers from Behcet's disease, a rare disorder that causes chronic inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, and has caused her difficulties in her training and athletics career.

Two years ago, she struggled with the disease when she failed to qualify for the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan. It seems, this time, Richards not only beat her competitors but her symptoms.

Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka took third in 49.71.

Source: Sports Illustrated