Sada in running for gold

Barbados’ best female quartermiler got even better today.

Sada Williams stormed into the finals of the women’s 400 metres in grand style this afternoon, setting a new national record in the process and establishing herself as one of the favourites to win gold in Wednesday’s event in Budapest, Hungary.

Running out of lane seven in the third and final heat, Williams finished second in 49.58 seconds, just behind winner Natalia Kaczmarek of Poland in 49.50 seconds.

It was the first time Williams had dipped under 50 seconds for the year, and was the third fastest time heading into wednesday’s final, behind only Kaczmarek and World and Olympic silver medalist Marileidy Paulino, who clocked the day’s fastest time of 49.54 running in the first heat.

Her time also smashed her previous national record of 49.75 which she set at last year’s World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA on her way to winning bronze.

With the early exits of Barbados’ other two representatives in Budapest, DeSean Boyce and Jonathan Jones, all attention turned to Williams, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional athletes the island has ever produced.

Williams made a good start, accelerating down the backstretch and by the 200 metre mark had taken the lead.

Kaczmarek challenged her in the final 90 metres of the race, but with the top two finishers in each heat earning automatic qualification, Williams sauntered over the line to book her spot.

It will be one of the most keenly contested women’s 400 metres finals in recent times with six of the women qualifying with sub-50 times.

All eyes will be on Williams, who will be looking to create more history when the finals run off at 3:35 p.m., as she aims to become just the second Barbadian to win a World Championship gold medal.

Back in 2009, one of Barbados’ most outstanding hurdlers, Ryan Brathwaite etched his name in history by setting a new national record of 13.18 seconds, winning the island’s first and only gold medal at the World Championships.

Brathwaite and Williams stand as the only two athletes from Barbados who have achieved medals at World Athletics’ grandest stage.

Following her performance in Oregon, Williams clinched gold at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England, followed by a second-place finish at the NACAC Championships in the Bahamas, where she competed against 2022 World and Olympic Champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Beyond her record-breaking achievement in Budapest, Williams is in the midst of a prosperous season, highlighted by her successful qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

rawletoney@barbadostoday.bb