Reigning 100m hurdles world champion Danielle Williams kicked off her 2025 season in spectacular fashion, storming to victory in Xiamen.
The Jamaican star blazed to a season-best 12.53 seconds at the opening Wanda Diamond League meet in China. Yet for Williams, Saturday’s win was just the beginning.
The two-time world champion is approaching this season with a renewed focus on technical refinement.
She acknowledged that while her race execution in Xiamen was strong, there is still room for improvement.
“The focus was on the last half of the race, trying to finish strong. I think I did that, so I am satisfied,” Williams shared in a post-race interview.
“It’s early in April and the season is over in September, so we are not even halfway into the training cycle. It is definitely a good sign.”
In Xiamen, she edged out a strong field that included world leader Grace Stark of the United States, who posted an impressive 12.58 seconds for second place. However, she revealed that she has also been working on her start.
“The aim to peak at the right time, and these races form an essential part of the process,” she explained.
“You test what you’ve worked on in training, and you make the necessary changes.”
For Williams, every race is both a test and a lesson.
“I’ve tweaked a lot. The game has changed. I mean, everyone is running really fast, so I have to make some tweaks to get up there,” she explained.
She’ll compete in Diamond League events, honing her skills against the world’s best. Each meet progresses toward the season’s climax at this year’s World Athletics Championships.
Williams has been clear that her eyes are firmly on long-term goals rather than individual race outcomes.
“I’m not looking too far ahead. It’s one race at a time, one phase at a time. Once I execute well, the times will come,” she asserted.
Williams’ triumph in China was part of an outstanding showing by the Jamaican contingent in Xiamen. Triple jumper Jordan Scott achieved a personal best of 17.27m to clinch the men’s triple jump title, while Shericka Jackson opened her 200m campaign with a solid second-place finish.