Williams finishes in Brussels

ada Williams ended her season at the weekend, competing at the Wanda Diamond League Final in the 48th Allianz Memorial Van Damme. The 26-year-old contested the women’s 400m final at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, against a star-studded field.

As she had done at the Olympics in Paris, France, just five weeks prior, Williams was seventh on this occasion.

Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic lived up to her role as favourite in the 400 metres, winning decisively in 49.45. American Alexis Holmes (50.32) and Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (50.96) came second and third.

Williams ran just 52.68, well off her best. The MVP (Jamaica) athlete has gone 52 seconds or faster 56 times for her career. This season alone, she turned in three of her top 10 results ever, including going under 50 seconds twice at the Olympics.

In so doing, of course, the two-time World Championships bronze medallist and Commonwealth made history as Barbados’ first-ever track finalist on the biggest stage in global sport. She also competed in the fastest final ever at that level, going under 50 seconds, and threatening her own national record.

With the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Williams will aim to build on this season, which she finishes ranked eighth in the world. She has been as high as third in the rankings for her pet event.
(TF)