Williams-Mills has eyes on the big one in 2009

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

Fans who turned up at the National Stadium to witness the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet last Saturday left on a high following some brilliant performances.

One of those satisfying performances came from 400 metres runner Novlene Williams-Mills, who turned back Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards in the women's 400 metres.

The number-one ranked Richards has been a regular competitor at the meet and had never been beaten previously in her pet event.

After an excellent relay leg the previous week at Penn Relays in the women's 4x400 metres relays where she gained on Allyson Felix, Williams-Mills maintained her good form a week later when she created a big upset by defeating Richards in the 400 metres in 50.99 seconds ,

second best opening

Richards who ended up second in 51.12 lost to Williams-Mills for the first time.

"I am extremely pleased with my performance on home soil and my training has been going great so far," said Williams-Mills. "I would not say I am surprised with my victory over Richards as no one goes into a race to run second or third. There are eight lanes and all competitors in these lanes go for the maximum."

Williams-Mills, who celebrated her 27th birthday on the weekend of the Penn Relays, is looking forward to a great season.

"This is my second-best opening in the 400 metres. In 2007, I opened up with 50.89 but I think this for me is much better as then I ran a lot of relay meets before while this year, I only competed in the Florida and the Penn Relays before my first individual 400 metres."

While lauding Williams-Mills for her victory, Richards, in a post-race interview, stated that she was sick for several days coming into the meet.

"I don't know what is going on with someone else and if Richards was sick before the meet. I hope she recovers speedily because I enjoy my competition with her because she is a great competitor and I need to compete with people who are at the top of their game," said Williams-Mills when asked if Richards' illness had taken some sheen off her win.

Williams-Mills who now is working out in Disney, Orlando with new coach Brooke Johnson of the United States, is pleased with his training programme.

"Coach Johnson is a carbon copy of my former coach, Tom Jones, as he makes sure that the workout is done and he is like a father to us and with him being my coach this will make a big difference this year, as I do not have to think about anything else as he plans my workout and I am able to relax now," continued Williams-Mills, who was without a coach following the death of Jones.

The former Ferncourt High student is now ready to make up for her 2008 season.

"Last year was a bit disappointing for me as I did not make it to the Olympic final where I was hoping to get a medal. It is everyone's dream to be an Olympic champion as this is every four years, but I am staying positive and my focus is now on Berlin this summer as I hope to redeem myself in some way."

World Championships

She is also wary of the fact that at the last World Championships in Osaka, she was so close to winning the gold medal when she led for most of the way before fading up in the last 10 metres and lost gold by 500th of a second and silver by 100th of a second to the British pair of Christine Ohuruogu and Nicole Saunders.

"This time around, I hope I can make up for that," she continued.

"We should have a very great 4x400m team this year as there are some great individuals running 400 metres for Jamaica and I am hoping that this will be the year when I will get my full decoration of medals. I am hoping that I will be in the final of that 400 metres and once I am there, any number can play," she remarked.

"I am hoping that I am not being judged by one bad race and I am hoping that my fans continue to give me full support as I go in search of my Berlin dream,"