18 August 2009

World Championships 4x100m athlete Jeanette Kwakye believes sprint sensation Jodie Williams has the ability to be ‘absolutely fantastic’ after her double gold success at this year’s World Youth Championships.

Still only 15, Williams became the first Brit since Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in 2004 – and the first female ever – to claim a sprint double at the World Youth Championships in Italy last month.

Williams ran the two leading times in the world this year to claim 100m and 200m gold and despite being selected for the European Junior Championships as a result pulled out with a tight hamstring.

And Kwakye, who finished sixth in last year’s Olympic final and regularly trains with Williams in north London, insists UKA Hero Williams has all the attributes to become a star in the years to come.

“To win double gold at the World Youth Championships is an absolutely fantastic achievement and no one can take that away from her,” said Kwakye.

“I was never good at giving advice to others when I was young but I learnt from advice given to me and I have gone on to achieve what a lot of British female sprinters haven’t done as a senior.

“Even though I see Jodie almost every day I actually haven’t had the opportunity to speak to her yet. But whoever is guiding her it is very important that they realise although she is very quick now it is the nurturing more than anything else that will bring her through as a senior athlete.

“She could be absolutely fantastic and with that level of talent and hard work and guidance the sky really is the limit.”