Vere Technical High's Kimberly Williams on her way to a record leap on yesterday's opening day of the 2007 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. Williams leapt 13.52 metres for the record. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

IT IS said that hard work pays off and Vere Technical's Kimberly Williams is testament to that.

Williams, a national junior representative and a two-time CARIFTA Under-17 champion, was in impressive form on yesterday's opening day, winning the triple jump in a new Champs record of 13.52 metres.

The performance, she said, was simply due to hard work, "because, basically, I am doing more work, different drills, than last year."

She said she had been working on a certain phase of her jumping.

"I was weak in terms of the steps, my legs were not driving up so well," she said.

"This season is good, very good.

"I like this season, especially since I am injury free," she added.

I knew I could do it

On her way to victory, Williams, who represented Jamaica at last year's World Junior Championships in China, had leaps of 13.51m, 13.18m , 13.11, 12.99m and 12.92m."It feels good. I have been jumping well (all season), so I just went out there and did my best," she said.

"I knew I could do it, my friends told me, everybody told me," said Williams, who won at Central Champs with a leap of 13.50m (wind aided).

She said that jump helped.

"That motivated me to beat the record," she said.

The previous mark of 13.43m had been held by former Meadowbrook jumper Shelly-Ann Gallimore since 1999.

Williams, who graduated from Seaforth Primary, has now won her third straight title at Champs, taking over from Holmwood' Duncan.

She also hinted her move from St. Thomas to attend school in Clarendon was a good decision as "I always heard about Vere and their big runners".

"I went there (Vere) because of the opportunities," she said while saying "you get more exposure" at Vere. Williams' time in the sport is backed by her mother, Angella Diego, who represented Morant Bay High in the sprints.

- A.F.