PARIS, France – Danielle Williams, the two-time World Champion in the 100m hurdles, has demonstrated time and again that her focus is on delivering peak performances when it matters most—at major championships.
Despite her numerous accolades, the journey to her first Olympic Games stands out as a significant milestone, providing her not only with the chance to compete for the elusive Olympic title but also to further cement her legacy.
Williams, who clinched her latest world title in Budapest, Hungary, by surging out of lane one, attributes her success at 31 to maintaining consistent health and avoiding major disruptions in training. Reflecting on her journey, she noted, “I haven’t had many major issues that had me missing huge blocks of practice like I have in the past, so I think that has been the key to being here this year.”
Strategy involves prioritizing readiness for the key moments
Her strategy involves prioritizing readiness for the key moments over accumulating victories on the circuit. Williams emphasized the importance of being prepared for the championships, saying, “Coach always said that we are not the winningest persons when we go on the circuit, and we are not necessarily trying to win every race we go out to.
“Most of the time we are just working out phases of the races. But when it comes to the championships, we expect that all those races in preparation were to get the race together and we should get it right when we step on to the track in the championships, and that has always been the difference for me.”
Even after achieving substantial success, Williams remains driven by her ambition and the challenge of competing against a rising new generation of hurdlers. She expressed admiration for the emerging talents, particularly national champion and record holder Ackera Nugent, while taking pride in her ability to compete at the highest level.
Young athletes stepping u
“I remember when I just came out on the senior team in 2013, and it was really just like a rebirth. And to see a lot of young athletes stepping up and they are running pretty well. It’s very cool to see, and to see that I am still in the mix at my big age. I’m still there mixing it up with them,” shared the 2015 World Champion.
Reflecting on her experiences, Williams added, “Ackera told me that when she was in high school she had a picture of me, saying she has to beat me. I have come a long way. I have raced the greats, and now I am racing the up and coming. It is very cool for me, and I am very blessed.”
As Williams looks forward to the upcoming Olympic Games, her focus remains on executing three perfect races, emphasizing that all other performances are just steps in preparation for the ultimate goal.
