The Irrepressible Novlene Williams-Mills Stays in the Fast Lane

Published by The Jamaica Observer on January 5, 2015

If the RJR Sports Foundation National Sportswoman of the Year award was determined by one's prowess at Wii Nintendo, Novlene Williams-Mills would be a clear and easy winner.

The 32-year-old is fascinated by the interactive home video game and seldom loses. It is the same thing in reality, Williams-Mills hardly put a foot wrong in 2014 where she finished the year ranked second in the world over the 400m.

Williams-Mills, who admitted to being a fierce Wii competitor and never goes to her bed until she defeats her husband, carries that same spirit onto the track which saw her being crowned IAAF Diamond League champion over 400m.

It all started on May 14 at the Shanghai Diamond League when running out of lane eight, Williams showed guts and determination to pip a cruising Amantle Montsho on the line, with the latter appearing the sure winner.

Montsho seemed to have won, was even given the bouquet of flowers for first-place and was ushered along on a victory lap. But it was Williams-Mills who had claimed victory in 50.31 to Montsho's 50.37. That race also had the likes of Allyson Felix, Natasha Hastings and Francena McCorory.

It was the start of great things for the Jamaican champion Williams-Mills, as she led Jamaica to silver at the inaugural World Relays later that month behind a powerful American quartet.