United States-born sprinter Briana Nicole Williams, is a world record holder for the 100 metres age-15 and the Jamaican under-18 and under-20 women’s 100 metres and 200 metres. At just 19 years old, this young Olympic medalist has achieved quite the feat for herself.

In another of Our Today‘s Women in Sports International Women’s Day feature, let us take a look at the woman off the track, Briana Williams!

1. Place of Birth

Briana was born in Coral Springs, Florida on March 21, 2002 to a Jamaican mother.

2. Started out doing other sports and an art form

The track athlete took ballet as a child, practised gymnastics and played tennis.

3. How her track career started

Like many Jamaicans, her mother always watched track and field events on television. At just the tender age of nine, Briana approached her mom and asked if she could start running.

4. Sign Up!

Not long after, her mother took her to sign up for tracks at the Miramar Club in Florida.

5. Running for Jamaica

It was after attending Jamaica’s Inter-Secondary Schools Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships that Williams made the decision to run for the island.

“In 2017 I told my mom, I want to run for Jamaica. When she signed me up, I went to CARIFTA and got third and from then on, I loved running for Jamaica,” Williams said.

6. A Favourite!

Her favourite colour is red.

7. Made History

Briana is Jamaica’s youngest Olympic Gold medalist

8. Awardee

In both 2018 and 2019, Williams won the Austin Sealy award at the CARIFTA Games. She was the first Jamaican athlete to win the award two years in a row since Usain Bolt.