It is highly unlikely that the last qualifier following the semifinal round of any sprint event climbs the podium step.
But that is exactly what young track star, Daniel Williams did yesterday.
The tireless campaigner defied the odds and surprisingly snared a silver medal in the boys 400m final at the World U-18 Championships currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jamaica’s Antonio Watson (46.59s) crossed the line in pole position while Colby Jennings of the Turks and Caicos completed the podium in 46.77s.
The top three all recorded their personal bests yesterday.
It was a historic feat for the 17-year old standout from Linden who not only ran his personal best (46.72s) but became the fastest local youth quarter miler of all time.
He also became the first male World U-18 medalist from Guyana. The talented Williams now joins Kadecia Baird as the only local athletes to earn a medal at a World meet at any level.
Baird copped a silver in the women’s 400m at the World Juniors in Barcelona, Spain half a decade ago.
In an immediate reaction following Williams’ heroics, Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) President, Aubrey Hutson stated that the South American U-20 bronze medalist “has always shown great potential for growth.”
Hutson added “What has happened tells the world that Guyana’s athletic development is on the rise and to know that this would have happened during the time I am in athletics, I am a proud president, these athletes continue to do us proud on the international scene.”
Meanwhile, Guyana’s other representative at the meet, Chantoba Bright, will spring into action tomorrow in the girls’ long jump event. Hutson is optimistic that the CARIFTA Games and South American U-20 Championships gold medalist can also return to the 592 with precious metal and join Williams and Baird in rarified air.
