National head coach Ramon Armstrong says local track and field is on the rise following Barbados’ impressive showing at last week’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where Sada Williams became the first Barbadian woman to win a medal at the event.
Williams, a 24-year-old former Coleridge and Parry and Harrison College student who trains at the MVP club in Jamaica with legendary coach Stephen Francis, won bronze in stunning fashion in the women’s 400-metre final while also clocking a new national record of 49.75 seconds.
Apart from Williams’ bronze, it was the first time that three Barbadian athletes advanced to the finals in their respective events. Quarter-miler and fellow national record holder Jonathan Jones reached the last eight in the men’s 400 metres and sprint hurdler Shane Brathwaite qualified for his third straight World final in the men’s 110-metre hurdles.
“The performance of this team is outstanding, three athletes, three individual finals, and a Bronze medal . . . Shane equalled his PB in the semi, Sada PB and Jon after a long collegiate season produced performances to earn him a spot in the finals . . . .” (AGB)
