UNITED States-based Toni-Ann Williams, who became the first Jamaican gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games, was flabbergasted by the adoration she received from a number of young aspirants when she worked out at the Wolmer’s Boys’ High School on Tuesday.

Williams, 20, of the University of California, was in the island with her parents Toni Williams and Marlene Hylton-Williams — the sister of former People National Party (PNP) government minister, Anthony Hylton — and her sister Maya Williams, who is also a member of Jamaica’s gymnastic team.

“They are very welcoming and really lovable. They are so sweet, they always give me hugs all the time, and hopefully what I am doing now can stick with them. I just love working with them,” said Williams during her routine workout.

Williams who grew up in Randallstown, Maryland, finished 38th overall with a 52.931 total in the all-round at the Rio Olympic Test in April, and made history by qualifying for the Olympic Games, set for August.

That put her in 16th position as an individual not competing with a full team. Her highest score of the day came on vault where she scored 14.066, which ranked 24th.

The 20-year-old was also ranked in the top 35 on beam, finishing 29th with a tally of 13.666, and 32nd on floor with 13.366. She tallied 11.833 on bars.

Williams, who has been representing Jamaica since 2009, was overwhelmed by the number of young gymnasts who turned out for a training camp she was conducting.

“There were about 200 kids and I was very shocked that so many came out to do gymnastics and do the sport that they love, and I am really excited for the future,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer.

Williams’ achievement means Jamaica will be represented by three sporting disciplines at the Olympic Games. Athletics and swimming are the others.

Nicole Grant-Brown, president of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association, said her organisation and the entire Jamaica are proud of Williams.

“We are very proud; not just me, but the entire executive and the entire gymnastic family. Toni-Ann has been working for Jamaica since 2009, and we have journeyed with her, and we are very happy that we are able to share in this experience and historic achievement that she has had,” said Grant-Brown.

The president said things are in place for further success, as Williams’ historic qualification to the Olympic Games is no coincidence.

“We have started our 2020 vision for the Olympics. We had about three of our junior gymnasts training in our camp in Virginia. We have our technical director here as well who has been working with our juniors as well as our senior boys who are locally based,” Grant-Brown pointed out.

“They are doing very well. They have improved a lot and we see where, in about two years, they will be ready for elite which is really closer where we really want them for the 2020 Olympics,” she noted.

“We have also the smaller kids, the intermediates, and the advanced kids who are working very hard and we are seeing a lot of talents and we are very happy to know that we have taken a step further in terms of making gymnastic a sport of choice in Jamaica,” Grant-Brown added.

“That is significant and very important to us. Gymnastics is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. We want the sport of gymnastics in all schools. It helps to build the kids and helps them prepare for other sports,” noted Grant-Brown.