– Eying 200M and 400M U-18 records

HE calmly jogged out of the tunnel to the track at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, even as the crowd cheered ecstatically when his name was called, but as usual, Daniel Williams was calm as persons stood in anticipation of the Boys U-18 100M finals.

The 2017 IAAF World U-18 Championships 400M silver medallist (46.72 seconds), was touted as a clear winner by spectators even before the race started, but their keenness was in the time he would’ve run the distance. His rival was the clock, even though some had District 15’s Jermaine King (New Amsterdam) to provide some challenge.

The 17-year-old Mackenzie High School sixth-form student happens to be one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the championships, owning six records – the Under-14 100m record at 11.6s, the joint holder of the Under-16 100m record at 11.0s, the Under-16 200m record of 22.6s, the Under-16 400m record at 51.0s, the Under-12 high Jump record at 150cm and also the Under-16 high jump record at 183cm.

It was actually seven records, but Williams’ Under-14 400m time (54.9s) was erased by South Georgetown’s Wesley Tyndall, who clocked 54.50 seconds on Tuesday.
Prior to the championships, Williams’ coach Johnny Gravesande, had told Chronicle Sport that his athlete’s biggest competition will be the clock and that he was certain of breaking a few records at this year’s ‘Nationals’.

Gravesande is considered by the folks in Linden as Guyana’s version of Glen Mills – the coach behind the success of the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt.
Meanwhile, at the start line, Williams was placed in Lane #4, right next to King in Lane #5, but after the gun went off, the Lindener showed his superiority.

As fans stood in awe at his subliminal speed out of the blocks, Williams eased with just about five metres before the finish line and still finished way ahead of the pack.
His time, 10.67 seconds, which was a new Boys’ U-18 record at the championships since it removed the previous record, 10.70 seconds, which was held by current CARIFTA Games gold medallist, Compton Caesar, along with Jason Yaw, Chavez Ageday and Keon Lynch.
“Thanks to everyone that supported me,” Williams told reporters at the conclusion of his record-breaking run, adding “thanks to my coach who did a good job and he pushed me to the limit.”

In his usual humble manner, Williams wasn’t impressed with the time, with his mind set on the international competition, he stated “at the world level, the time isn’t all that, but I’m still good with the win.”

Asked how he feels about being ‘the’ athlete to beat at the championships as well as the one everyone will be paying close attention too, Williams said “nothing really bothers me you know, but I’m glad the younger athletes and even some older ones are looking up to me, and I’m here to give my best and give advice if they need it.”

Williams will return on the track today in the Boys U-200M, which he’s excited about. He’s also in the finals of the 400M which see the finals taking place tomorrow.