Barbados' Sada Williams Aims to Break 49 Seconds in 400m at Paris Olympics

Barbados’ fastest female quarter-miler of all time has her sights set on going even faster.

Two-time World Championship bronze medalist Sada Williams says she is aiming to dip under 49 seconds in pursuit of glory at next year’s Paris Olympics.

On Wednesday, the 25-year-old became the first Barbadian to win multiple World Championship medals when she copped bronze in the women’s 400-metre event at the championships in Budapest, Hungary, in 49.60 seconds.

Williams, who also placed third at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and is the only Barbadian woman to run under 50 seconds, is now the country’s most decorated track and field athlete of all-time.

And while she said she was happy to capture consecutive bronze medals, she admitted that she had her eyes set on silver or gold.

“I’m glad I made it on the podium again but I was really looking to upgrade from last year. I was aiming for a silver or higher but I came out with another medal and the national record in the semi-finals so I think I am happy. If I don’t get 48 [seconds] before my season is finished, I’m looking to get it next year for sure and hoping for another podium finish,” Williams said in a post-match interview.

Williams entered the final with the third fastest time of 49.58 seconds, clocked in the semi-finals, and was one of the favorites to win gold.

However, Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino won in a new national record of 48.76 seconds while Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek took silver in 49.57 seconds to become the first athlete from her country to win a medal in the event.

“I saw Natalia was next to me and it looked like we were very close because I don’t really dip, but I was really hoping for the silver medal but I made it on the podium again so I am happy,” Williams said.

“I was thinking that I have to make it on the podium. I just wanted to medal again. If I did run as fast as I did in the rounds and the semis I was thinking I have to be on the podium. Like I said in my last interview, let’s get this money so that was my main goal.”

Williams is coached by legendary Jamaican coach Stephen Francis, and she credited him for her success.

“I think since I have been training with my coach Stephen Francis, I get faster and faster each year so it is progression for me. I don’t think that I ran faster than last year. I train in Jamaica and in Jamaica I have a lot of top athletes as training partners,” she stated.