Photo: Danielle Williams strikes gold in the Women’s 100m hurdles (Getty Images)
Well having the world record certainly didn’t matter, and not having the fastest time in the world this year most certainly did not matter either, what mattered was who could have withstood the intense pressure moments and deliver when it counted. The world of track and field is now aware that there is a new world champion in the sprint hurdles, and the name you will remember is Danielle Williams.
The drama, the surprises, the excitements and nerves of lining up in the big one was not too much for the Jamaican national champion, who ran the race of her life to secure the gold in a new personal best time of 12.57 seconds. With others banging, stumbling and clipping the obstacles, Williams was clean and tidy, as she pedaled her way straight to the finish line shaving 1/100th of a second off her personal best done in semifinal one. She entered the final as the fastest qualifier and delivered o the biggest stage when most people did not know her name.
Running from lane four, the World University Champion for 2015, who entered these championships with a personal best of 12.69 seconds, was quickly away from the starters gun. Arms in motion, legs kept clear of clipping any of the barriers, she kept her acceleration and speed over all of the hurdles, to cross the line ahead of Cindy Roledger of Germany 12.59 seconds for sliver and Alina Talay of Belarus 12.66 seconds for bronze.
The defending champion, Brianna Rollins 12.67 and world leader in the event Sharika Nelvis 13.06 were only good enough for 5th and 8th respectively.
The woes of the American athletes continued at these championships and specifically in this event, which they had the top six best times in the world coming into the championship. For the first time in over 6 years none of them haven’t gotten on the podium at a major games.
Another big name in Tiffany Porter of Great Britain was left distraught as she ended 6th in 12.68 seconds. The sister of the Jamaican champion,Shermaine, gave it her all but could only manage 12.95 seconds for 7th.
The Lennox Graham coached Williams, became only the second woman behind national record holder Bridgette Foster- Hylton to have finished on top of the podium at any World championships. Foster-Hylton took gold in the Berlin World Championships in 2009, and still holds the national record of 12.45 seconds, from 2003.
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