REIGNING World Championships 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams says she is not overly concerned about her slow start to the season as she believes she will rise to the occasion at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Williams, a two-time world champion in the event, secured her spot on Jamaica’s team with a second-place finish in a time of 12.53 seonds at the JAAA/Puma National Senior Championships on Sunday. Paris will be the Jamaican sprint hurdles star’s first crack at the Olympics, following two previously unsuccessful attempts.

Last week’s final at the National Stadium was won by Ackera Nugent in a national record time of 12.28, with Janeek Brown taking third in 12.61. Those two women are also set for their Olympic debut for Jamaica.

Williams’ time was considerably slower than her season’s best of 12.46s, set at the Racer’s Grand Prix on May 11. Nonetheless Williams, 31, who holds a personal best of 12.32s in the event, is renowned for performing at her peak on the biggest stages. This was evident at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where she pulled off a stunning victory from lane one to clinch gold for Jamaica.

“I am not really pleased with the time because I definitely expected to run a lot faster than 12.53, and there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Williams.

“The last part of the race is still not where I would like it to be. I am still not attacking through the ninth and 10th barriers so there is more to put in — and I look forward to working on that before the Olympics.

“I absolutely know that I will be ready because I trust my coach and his plans, I trust in God, and I trust in my abilities and myself. I know that when everything comes together, and as long as I am healthy, I will show up,” she added.

Williams, who previously won gold at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China, said that she is immensely relieved at finally qualifying for the Olympic Games. In 2021 she fell during the race at the national championships, and in 2016 she false started.

“I feel truly blessed to be in this position. The third time is the charm. God is sovereign; his timing surpasses all. This was his time, and I have a testimony, and thanks to Him for seeing me through it all,” Williams stated.

“The season has been great because I haven’t been injured — unlike previous years [when] injuries sidelined me for extended periods. Now, the focus is on maintaining this momentum and continuing to put in the work.

“I feel good because I don’t get nervous until the day of competition. I believe if I am not nervous I won’t perform well so I channel that nervous energy on the track, and it really pushes me,” she pointed out.