THE WILLIAMS SISTERS CLEARING THE HURDLES TO THEIR DREAMS

Photo: Danielle Williams finished second to Jasmin Stowers at the Jamaica International Invitational in May.

“The hope is that we will grow from here and we’ll be able to do our utmost best. Make a legacy, and then retire as two great champions”. This is the definition of two of Jamaica’s finest young track and field talents, sisters Danielle and Shermaine Williams.

The sprint hurdles is not where it started for them, but it is where it will end. Danielle formerly of the Queens School and Shermaine, formerly of Convent of Mercy Academy Alpha sees the sky as no limits.

The sisters being separated by three years, had very good junior careers. Shermaine the National Junior record-holder at 13.06 was a back to back silver medalist at the World Junior (2008) and World Youth Championships (2007). She went on to represent the Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in the United States with great distinction.

Danielle is a very versatile athlete, having the ability to run over 100m flat and also over the hurdles. She has done excellently also representing JCSU, winning several awards at the NCAA and also the honour of being triple All-American Outdoor champion and World university Games bronze medalist.

Both athletes are now out of University and running professionally revealed to Yardie Sports are finishing as runners up to the American wonder woman Jasmin Stowers at the 12th staging Jamaica International Invitational Meet(JIIM), that the best is yet to come for them.

The younger of the Williams crossed the line in second with a time of 12.77 and Shermaine was third in 12.89 seconds.

Stowers erased Gail Devers meet record of 12.50 second, to set a new world leading time of 12.39 seconds.

“Now we are better able to train and not having to focus on school, we can spend more time in training. We are positive that we will do great things”, said Shermaine

Shermaine made her Olympics debut at the London Games in 2012, where she made it to the semifinals, running a time of 12.83 seconds, admitted that her start is now a work in progress.

“The main focus for me tonight was my start. It didn’t feel as how I wanted it to feel but am happy with the time. I have changed my start from eight to seven steps. So I hope to perfect it soon,” Williams explained.

Speaking of about the start of her race as well, Danielle also alluded to the fact that her start was not what it should have been on the night.

“I got left in the blocks so I had to run back towards the end. But am happy with the time. Despite it not being a perfect execution. It’s good to be running against top class athletes like Jasmin”, Danielle responded.

The sprinter hurdles twin from Sweden, Susanna and Jenny Kallur, who dominated the European hurdling circuit between 2004-2008, are amongst the stars that the Williams are looking to emulate as they press for the top.

The sisters were blessed to have represented the country at the 14th IAAF World Championships, in Berlin, 2013. Danielle became Jamaica’s national champion in 2013 with personal record time of 12.69 seconds done at the trials a time that supercedes, that of Shermaine’s PR of 12.78 done in 2012.

Both went on to make the semi-final with Danielle finishing her heat 6th in 13.13 seconds in her first international outing for the country as a senior, while Shermaine was fourth in her heat in 12.93 seconds and missed the final.

At the 2014 National Senior Championships, Danielle was dethroned as National champion by Monique Morgan while Shermaine ended fourth.

Danielle finished fourth in sprint hurdles final at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in 13.06 seconds.

With that all behind them, both athletes’ eyes are firmly set the World Championships in Beijing this summer.

“We are looking forward to do our best for our country at the World Championships. We just continue to work hard and I am sure we will get there,” Danielle stated