Tue | May 12, 2026

Williams: This time around, it was even more special

Published:Monday | January 22, 2024 | 12:10 AMGregory Bryce/Gleaner Writer
Two-time World Championships 100 metres hurdles gold medalist and runner-up for the RJRGLEANER Sportswoman of the Year, Danielle Williams, on the red carpet ahead of last Friday’s National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year ceremony at The Jamaica Peg
Ian Allen
Two-time World Championships 100 metres hurdles gold medalist and runner-up for the RJRGLEANER Sportswoman of the Year, Danielle Williams, on the red carpet ahead of last Friday’s National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Where some would feel disappointed at being the runner-up for the prestigious RJRGLEANER Sportswoman of the Year award, hurdler Danielle Williams said she was delighted with the nomination after the struggles she faced throughout her career.

After placing second behind Shericka Jackson in the selection process for the award, Williams said that she was elated with her placing and believed that it was an honour to be considered among a group of world-class athletes.

“It is wonderful. I was up against athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is a decorated athlete within herself and all the other nominees, and to know that they felt I was deserving of being the runner-up is an awesome feeling, and I thank them very much for this award.”

Williams received the nomination after an impressive comeback season to the pinnacle of her event.

Entering the 2023 World Championships as an outsider, Williams upset a stacked women’s 100m hurdles line-up when she crossed the line first in 12.43 seconds in what only could have been described as a photo finish.

This was not the first time Williams had been at the top of the world in her event after already winning the title back in 2015 when she clocked a then personal best of 12.57.

BATTLE WITH INJURIES

Williams explained that winning her second title meant a lot more to her than her first, after her battle with injuries that nearly saw her leave the sport altogether.

“Back then, I was fresh out of college in my first year, really, on the scene,” she said. “I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I was just there along for the ride, hoping to take off some scalps along the way, you know, beat some people and work my way up in the game.

“Now I’ve been in the game for a good while. I’m a seasoned veteran. I’m a professional, and this time around, it was even more special as I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs to get to this point, and so when’ve experienced the valleys, you can appreciate the views from the mountain tops.”

With the pride of being the reigning world champion, Williams is preparing for the Paris Olympic Games later this year, knowing that she is no longer an outlier, but a target to beat.

“I’m hard at work right now. We’re working on the things that we need to focus on. Every year, our goal is to get better, to find ways where we can improve, where we can shave off seconds off of our times, and that’s just our focus for this year as well,” Williams said.