Torrie Lewis: Sha'Carri Richardson's teen rival picks Dutch superstar Femke Bol as a perfect role model and training partner

Australian rising speedster has picked Femke Bol over Sha'Carri Richardson as a perfect role model and will relocate to start training with elite Dutch sprint group.

Australian speed sensation Torrie Lewis, famous for defeating Sha'Carri Richardson in the Diamond League this season, has made a vital coaching switch to start training and learning from Dutch superstar Femke Bol.

The 19-year-old has relocated from Australia to begin her training under the tutelage of the award-winning coach Laurent Meuwly - the national head coach of the Netherlands, who has guided Bol through her record-breaking career.

Torrie Lewis stunned Sha'Carri Richardson to win the women's 200m event at Xiamen Diamond League. Photo Credit - @WorldAthletcs

According to Lewis's manager Nic Bideau, the bold move was to ensure the talented sprinter has a good role model to learn and grow from.

"We wanted Torrie to have a good role model, and there's none better on the circuit than Femke," he said in an interview with @codesportsau.

Coach Laurent Meuwly and Femke Bol

Reacting to the news of his recruit, coach Meuwly said: "Welcome in the team, Torrie! Can’t wait to work together and build up on your recent successes. I am sure there are great things coming."

Torrie Lewis's rise to sprint fame after defeating Sha'Carri Richardson

Lewis is highly rated as the future of women's sprint. Despite being a teenager, she has won the Australian national titles over 100m and 200m, and before the Paris Olympic Games, she set a new national record of 11.10s in January 2024.

Her moment of fame and world recognition came in April in her debut Diamond League appearance in Xiamen, where she stunned world 100m champion Richardson with an unexpected win from lane 9 in 22.96s to 22.99s, while Tamara Clark was third in 23.01s.

Torrie Lewis stunned Sha'Carri Richardson with an unexpected win from lane 9. Photo Credit - @World Athletics

In a post-race interview, the elated Aussie rising star described it as a surreal feeling defeating one of the fastest women in history.

"I didn't notice I beat them until I saw the replay and I was like, 'Holy sh--Holy crap.' So surreal," said Lewis in an interview with Citius Mag.

Torrie Lewis at Paris 2024 Olympics

At the Paris Olympics, Lewis elected to run the 200m, achieving a personal best of 22.89s to reach the semifinals. A few weeks later at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru she won the 200m silver medal, lowering her personal best to 22.88s.