“IT WAS a satisfying experience. I’m very happy with my performance.”
Sada Williams had every reason to be pleased with her IAAF World Athletics Championships outing. The Barbadian did not qualify for tomorrow’s women’s 400 metres final but had ample consolation of a personal best in the second semi-final heat yesterday.
Williams produced a 51.31 seconds run to improve on her previous best of 51.48. The new personal best earned her fourth spot, behind Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the winner in 49.66, American Wadeline Jonathas (50.07) and Jamaican Shericka Jackson (50.10).
Miller-Uibo and Jonathas advanced automatically to the final, while Jackson progressed on time. Williams was not fast enough to join the trio in the eight-woman final, the 21-year-old Jamaica-based quarter-miler finishing tenth overall.
Williams battled hard on the home straight after coming off the final turn in fourth spot in the semi-final race. She succeeded in holding off Lisanne De Witte, the Dutchwoman forced to settle for fifth in 51.41 seconds. The big effort resulted in the fastest ever one-lap run for Williams – the perfect impetus heading into an Olympic year.
“I’m going to come back stronger and faster,’” Williams told MIDWEEK SPORT, “so I’m very excited and looking forward to next season.”
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