CLEMSON, SC — Two-time world champion Danielle Williams opened her 2026 season with a polished world-leading performance on Saturday, winning the women’s 60-meter hurdles at the Clemson Invitational in 7.94 seconds.
The 33-year-old Jamaican star, who won world championship titles in the 100-meter hurdles in both 2015 and 2023, is using the early indoor season to prepare for the possibility of competing at the world indoor championships later this year.
Williams looked sharp over the barriers despite coming off the fall and winter training cycle. She first won her preliminary heat in 8.00 seconds, the fastest qualifying time of the day, before improving in the final to claim a comfortable victory.
Read More: Tennessee’s Davonte Howell Flashes World-Leading 6.49 to Win 60m at Clemson Invitational
Fellow Jamaican Oneka Wilson, who competes for Clemson University, finished second in 8.04 seconds. Wilson was making her first appearance in the sprint hurdles this season after opening her campaign in December with races in the 60-meter dash and 300-meter run. Taylor Cox of Georgia placed third with a time of 8.17 seconds.
In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, American Dylan Beard won a tight race in 7.61 seconds. Le’Ezra Brown of Georgia took second place in 7.68, followed closely by Giano Roberts in third (7.71) and De’Vion Wilson in fourth with the same time. Devon Brooks rounded out the top five in 7.72.
Another Jamaican athlete shone at the meet when world championships relay silver medalist Dejanea Oakley blasted to a lifetime best of 35.94 seconds to win the women’s 300 meters. Her time improved on her previous personal best of 37.43 seconds, which she set at altitude in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2024.
Oakley’s Georgia teammate Shaquena Foote, also from Jamaica, finished second in 36.50 seconds. Javonya Valcourt of Tennessee claimed third with a personal best of 36.53, and Skylar Brazzell of Georgia was fourth in 36.55.
In the men’s 300 meters, Sidi Njie pulled off an upset victory over pre-race favorite Christopher Morales-Williams of Canada. Njie, who won bronze in the 400 meters at the 2024 World Junior Championships, clocked 32.10 seconds to beat the former NCAA 400m champion. Morales-Williams finished second in 32.46, tying with Tennessee’s Saad Hinti, who achieved a personal best.
USA’s Elija Godwin, a world indoor relay gold medalist who was expected to contend for the podium spots, placed second in his heat but sixth overall in 33.14 seconds.
Complete results here
