Williams sisters – not Venus and Serena – seek hurdles glory
THE Williams sisters, not Americans Venus and Serena, but Jamaicans Danielle and Shermaine will be once again be at the forefront trying to earn medals for their country in the sprint hurdle event.
Danielle and Shermaine did their country and themselves proud after reaching the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles yesterday at the World Championships in Beijing, China.
Danielle Williams, who won heat one in 12.77 seconds, enters the semis with the third- fastest time, while Shermaine has the fourth- fastest time, 12.78 seconds, after finishing second in heat four.
The final for the event comes shortly after the semis tomorrow, and both girls are expressing confidence they can make it.
In 2013, Danielle and Shermaine stated that they wanted to grow in the hurdles event and make a legacy, then retire as two great champions. Now they have the chance to start building that legacy.
Danielle Williams, 22, who attended The Queens High School, said she has been running 12.7s consistently last season and expects to go faster.
“I am pretty satisfied. I think I executed pretty well along the instructions given by my coach, although I am sure he will find something I didn’t do right. But hopefully I can fix it going into the semis,” she said with a wry smile on her face.
Shermaine, 25, formerly of Convent of Mercy Academy Alpha, said she equalled her personal best which is an indicator that she is running well.
“That was four years ago, so it shows that I am in good shape. I am feeling good and I am looking forward to the next round,” said Shermaine.
The sisters boast very good junior careers with Shermaine, the national junior record holder at 13.06 seconds, earning silver medals at the World Junior Championships in 2008 and World Youth Championships in 2007.
Danielle, who has very good 100m speed, this year won the gold medal at the World University Games.
Kimberly Laing, Jamaica’s third sprint hurdler, failed to make it out of her heat, finishing sixth in 13.10 seconds. The race was won by American Dawn Harper-Nelson in 12.79 seconds.