Williams, Anderson set for 60m hurdles battle at World Indoors
The World Athletics Indoor Champions starts on Friday in Belgrade, Serbia, and a number of the island's senior athletes will be in action at the Stark Arena.
Jamaica will be represented by 16 athletes at the meet and they will look to better the two silver medals won at the last championships in 2018 in Birmingham, England. Shot putter Danniel Thomas Dodd and triple jumper Kimberly Williamson, the medal winners in Birmingham, will have a chance to go one place better as both will be in action over the three days of the championships. At this weekend's meet, however, the women's 60m hurdles and 800m are the two events in which Jamaica will be strong contenders for medals. Danielle Williams and Britany Anderson will be in action in the 60m hurdles while Natoya Goule will run in the in the 800m. All three women are highly ranked in their events.
With a world- leading time of 7.75 seconds, Williams, the 2015 World Outdoor 100m hurdles champion, could win another major title. The world number two, three and four are out of the championships and Anderson, the fifth fastest so far this season with a personal best of 7.82, should be among the medals. The 2017 World Youth 100m hurdles champion has been in fantastic form all season and looks set to be in a close battle with Williams for the gold.
After her disappointment in the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympics last year, Goule has been having a dream season in her pet event, with an indoor best of one minute 58.46 seconds coming in France in mid February . She is now ranked number two on the world list. Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson with a season's best of 1:57.20 is the top seed and will start favourite for the gold.
Olympic Games 4x100 metres gold medallists Briana Williams and Shericka Jackson will be the first two Jamaicans in action on Friday. The will contest the heats of the 60m at 4:15 a.m Jamaican time. With a 2022 and personal best of 7.09s, Williams is ranked seventh in the event while Jackson with a best of 7.12 is ranked 18th.
With the World top seed Ewa Swoboda (6.99) of Poland, American Marybeth Saint Price (7.04) and number four ranked Mujinga Kambundji (7.05) of Switzerland all down to compete it will be tough going for both Jamaicans.
Stephenie Ann McPherson and Roneisha McGregor will also contest the semi-final round of the women's 400m on the opening day. That event is set for 12:35 p.m Jamaican time. Olympic finalist Christopher Taylor, with a season's best of 46.38 seconds, will be in action in the men's 400m at 5:45 a.m. Jamaican time.