Briana Williams is set to run another 60m this month and two 200m races in March as she continues preparations for the championship year ahead.
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled to be held in Budapest in August and the soon-to-be 21-year-old Williams is keen to earn an individual spot on Jamaica’s team.
Williams narrowly missed out on a spot in the 100m for the World Championships in Oregon in 2022. In the 100m finals at the Jamaican National Championships last June, Williams led the star-studded field before her race fell apart in the final 15m which saw slip to fourth; the precious third place snatched at the death by NCAA silver-medallist Kemba Nelson, who ran a personal best 10.88.
Having switched camps in the offseason, Williams and her new coaches Gregory Little and Michael Frater, are keen on making sure that her race does not fall apart like that anymore.
After her 7.22 60m dash at the Camperdown Classic on Saturday, Coach Little said she could have been better but their focus has been on what happens after 60.
“She looked pretty good and she is doing what we are teaching her in training,” said Little,
“I would probably give (her) a 75, a B. I think she could do much better.
“We are more focusing on the end part of her race (but) so far when she comes out of her drive phase she looked good and we are looking forward to a good season for her once everything goes smoothly with her health.”
In that area of concern, Little said Williams is making strides.
“She is making good progress regarding her strength endurance and we are working more on her speed endurance, she is adapting to the programme very well,” he said.
Both Williams and the Blakes (Ackeem and Yohan) – 6.63 and 6.64, respectively, were equally graded because, “We have been doing nothing really to look sharp,” he said.
“We just came out to see where we are at because basically we just had three block sessions so far so we said let us test where are at now because we are more focused on strength endurance and speed endurance at the moment.”
So, for the time being it’s another 60 and a couple of half-lappers before the real season begins.
“We have a 60m at Gibson Relays and then we move forward to two 200m next month and then that’s it for March. We will decide what we’re going to do in April,” said Little fully aware that all eyes are on his two young charges this season.