Briana targets consistent sub 10.9s
Published:Sunday | February 12, 2023 | 1:33 AMDaniel Wheeler - Gleaner Writer
BRIANA WILLIAMS says she is seeing early signs of improvement even after what was her first competitive race as a member of Titans track club.
Williams opened her 2023 campaign with a 7.22-second win in the 60m at the Camperdown Classic yesterday at the National Stadium ahead of Legacy Athletics Jura Levy, who clocked 7.34, and Swept Track Club’s Rohanna Wright, who was third in 7.71.
Williams began her new adventure with the Gregory Little and Michael Frater-coached club last year, moving from the United States and long-time coach and mentor Ato Boldon, who guided her through to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 where she earned gold as part of the 4x100m relay team and silver in last year’s 4x100m team at the World Championships.
With the emphasis on strengthening the latter part of her races, Williams felt that last night’s performance already showed signs she was improving. That improvement, along with the maintenance of her strong start, Williams believes should see her consistently dipping below 10.90 seconds.
“We have been working on endurance and the last part of my races and this is just the start to getting to the 100m and 200m,” Williams said.
“Nothing has changed with my start. I want to surpass my personal best and run consistently 10.7, 10.8.”
Williams clocked a personal best time of 10.94 at the National Senior Championships last year but finished fourth, leaving her just short of an individual place on the 100-metre team to the World Athletics Championships.
NO DISTRACTIONS
Williams also says she is enjoying the environment at Titans with her teammates, including former world 100m champion, Yohan Blake.
“I’m just happy to be here. It feels at home and so happy with the crowd and the atmosphere here. There are no distractions, just plenty of hard work and focusing on the goals. I’m enjoying my coaches and my teams and training,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ackeem Blake managed to pip his training partner Yohan to the line, clocking 6.63 seconds in the men’s 60m, using his top-end speed to secure the win. Yohan clocked 6.64 while Swept Track Club’s Emanuel Archibald was third in 6.70. Ackeem said he was satisfied with his run and is looking to use the experience of his first World Championships in Eugene last year to improve in 2023.
“It was a great experience last year, so I am just working on going forward,” said Ackeem.