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Williams upbeat about bronze brilliant! Simply

Published:Monday | October 7, 2019 | 12:10 AMAkino Ming/Staff Reporter
Jamaica’s Danielle Williams (centre) crosses the line in the women’s 100m hurdles final in third place behind winner Nia Ali (right) and runner up Kendra Harrison, both of the United States during the final day of the IAAF World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar yesterday.
Gladstone Taylor
Jamaica’s Danielle Williams (centre) crosses the line in the women’s 100m hurdles final in third place behind winner Nia Ali (right) and runner up Kendra Harrison, both of the United States during the final day of the IAAF World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar yesterday.

Doha, Qatar:

Although she was beaten into third in the final of the 100m hurdles, Danielle Williams, said that her 2019 season was nothing short of amazing, as Jamaica copped three medals on the final day of the IAAF World Championships to take their total to 12 and register their third- highest medal count at a World Championships.

Williams, who went into the meet as the fastest female sprint hurdler in the world with 12.32s, had to settle for the bronze medal as American Nia Ali produced a lifetime best of 12.34s to win the race.

Ali’s compatriot, Kendra Harrison, finished second in 12.46s, while Williams registered 12.47s.

“It wasn’t the cleanest race. I hit a few hurdles that affected my stride pattern, but I am grateful that I could finish the race and end up on the podium,” Williams told The Gleaner after the race.

“I don’t think I got my usual good start that I have been getting all season. I think I hit the first hurdle. I have to give God all the glory. The Lord knows I have been through it this season and to come out here and finish on the podium I couldn’t be happier with that.”

Williams almost missed the trip to the Middle East after she false-started at the National Senior Championships.

But the 27-year-old turned her season around as she produced some fantastic times on the circuit and was awarded a spot to compete here, after winning the Diamond Race in her event in the IAAF Diamond League series.

The two other Jamaicans in the final, Janeek Brown and Megan Tapper, were unable to do their best as they failed to react to the starter’s pistol properly.

NERVOUS

“I thought I false-started and the race was going to be recalled and that is why I stopped and went again. I believe that is why Megan never finished too,” Brown said.

Brown finished seventh in 12.88 seconds, while Tapper failed to finish.

“I’m happy I made the final and got a chance to run against the big girls. I just have to go back and work and come back for next season” Brown said.

The men’s and women’s mile relay teams secured silver and bronze respectively, but it wasn’t without controversy.

The team of Akeem Bloomfield, Nathon Allen, Terry Thomas, and Demish Gaye produced a season’s best 2:57.90 minutes to finish behind the Americans who won in a world leading 2:56.69.

Reinstated

The women’s team was reinstated after they were disqualified for a lane violation after they were placed out of order on the second exchange between Tiffany James and Stephenie-Ann McPherson. The team was reinstated after officials from team Jamaica appealed that McPherson had not been placed in order by an official.

James, McPherson, Anastasia Le-Roy, and Shericka Jackson posted a season’s best of 3:22.37 minutes to finish behind the USA in a world-leading 3:18.92 and Poland, 3:21.89, their national record.

In the women’s long jump, Chanice Porter placed eighth in the final after producing 6.56m. Porter, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, was happy that she finished in the top eight.

“I thank God that I was able to make back-to-back jumps on my ankle, and I was also happy that I made it to eighth” she said. “For next year, I hope I can be more consistent with jumping close to my personal best (6.78m).”

Jamaica finished the Championships with three gold, five silvers, and four bronze and are third in the placing table with 115 points behind the USA (310) and Kenya (122).