Williams confident despite JIII defeat

World 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams is maintaining high hopes of replicating that global success at this summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, despite her third-place finish in the event at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Williams was competing in her first race of the season and finished in 12.55 seconds.

She admitted no disappointment, but will be working to improve.

"It's definitely a good start for me, my first race of the season," she said.

Williams unfortunately clipped the first hurdle and struggled to recover the race lead and had to settle for third behind American Brianna Rollins, who won in 12.52, and her compatriot in 12.54.

LOOKING TO IMPROVE

Williams will be looking to improve her technique, readiness and form and hopefully surpass on her 12.50-second personal best.

"It was definitely a close race and it's the fastest I have run this year, regardless of wind speed, so I am extremely happy about that," she said.

"I think things are going good, so far," she added.

Williams said she knows expectations are on her to come big at the Olympics.

"I can't tell you what you can expect. I can only tell you what I am going out there to do, and it's my best; to make the Jamaican Olympics team, go to Rio and compete," she said.

It was the Jamaican's first race in front of home fans after her much-heralded World Championships success in Beijing, China, last year.

In Beijing, the 24-year-old clocked a superb 12.57 seconds and took top honours ahead of Germany's Cindy Roleder, who did 12.58.

The United States-based athlete emphatically joined Brigitte Foster-Hylton as the only Jamaicans to win the event at the World Championships.

Williams will next compete in China on Saturday.