Barbadian 400 metres superstar Sada Williams stormed to a new season’s best and new meet record in 50.80 seconds today at the 34th Meeting Internazionale Sport e Solidarieta at the Stadio G. Teghil, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy.
Williams started steadily in lane three, and took full control of the race around the top bend, as she maintained her advantage into the homestretch ahead of Jamaica’s Charokee Young and Kaylin Whitney of United States of America (USA).
Despite visibly tiring, Williams pushed for home with victory clearly in sight.
A late chase from Young who placed second in 51.13 seconds was not enough to disturb or overtake the Barbadian who enjoyed her best race of the season with an eye to the IAAF World Championships just over a month away on August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Whitney was third in a season’s best 52.01 seconds, while Marlie Viljoen of Republic of South Africa took fourth in 52.68 seconds as Kateryna Karpiuk of Ukraine brought up the rear in 52.93 seconds.
The event marks Williams’ sixth 400 metres race for the season as she warms up for the business end of the season.
Her 2023 season’s progression includes an outdoor season opener of 51.84 seconds in Jamaica, 52.05 in Qatar, 51.25 in The Bahamas, 51.00 seconds flat in USA, 51.57 in Jamaica and the most recent season’s best 50.80 in Italy. (RW)
