Williams sets eyes on Olympics

Paul Burrowes

Sunday, February 05, 2012

REIGNING Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) triple jump champion Kimberly Williams is describing 2012 as a "big year" for both her academics and athletic achievements.

A 2009 CAC bronze medallist, 23-year-old Williams opened her indoor season last weekend with a season-best 13.82 metres, now the 17th best jump in the world so far this year.

She will next compete at the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas on February 10, with her eyes on the World Indoor Championships qualifying mark of 14.10 metres.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to jump that or better," she said.

The 2012 World Indoor Championships will take place from March 9-11 in Istanbul, Turkey.

"God's willing, I'm hoping to stay injury free, keep on getting stronger and also to improve on my personal best of 14.23m," added Williams, who became the only woman in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division One history to win three consecutive indoor triple jump titles (2009-11).

Trecia Smith finished fourth at the World Indoor Championships in 2004 and 2006, when she improved her national indoor record to 14.84 metres.

Another Jamaican, Diane Sommerville, placed eighth at the inaugural 1991 championships in Seville, Spain.

A Vere Technical past student, Williams will also keep her focus on her education at Florida State University.

"I will earn my Bachelor of Science in sport management degree in April and enrol in graduate school at Florida State, fall 2012," she explained.

Williams also has high hopes of competing for her country at the London Olympic Games in August.

"As a child, it was always my dream to make an Olympic team. As of right now, I feel like I'm closer to that dream. I'm hoping to make my dream a reality this summer when its time for the Olympic Games in London.

"When I start my outdoor season, I hope I'll be one of those jumpers to consistently jump over 14.50m," she pointed out.

Williams has the third-best mark by a Jamaican women in indoor triple jump:

Trecia Smith, 14.84m (NR)

Suzette Lee, 14.25m

Kimberly Williams, 14.23

Keisha Spencer, 14.06

Shelly-Ann Gallimore, 13.84

Elva Goulbourne 13.78

Colleen Scott, 13.78

Andrea Linton, 13.57

Christine Brown, 13.13

LaToya Heath, 13.00

Jovanee Jarrett, 12.99

Authea Chambers, 12.96

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Williams sets eyes on Olympics