Ahtletics: ‘It’s not a hurdle being son of a legend’ May 4 2006
Bob Cypher, South Wales Echo
Britain’s number one 400 metres hurdler Rhys Williams has spoken of what it is like, being the son of a Welsh rugby legend.
No story detailing the 22-year-old’s exploits on the track over the past 12 months was complete without a reference to his father JJ Williams, who represented Wales on the athletics track and the rugby pitch in a glittering career.
But Williams junior is not complaining.
‘Being who I am has meant a lot of publicity for me, my profile is higher as a result of it,’ said Williams.
'But it hasn’t hindered me or put more pressure on me - it has helped me, inspired me.
'You have to admire what Dad has achieved and I want to do the same. In fact I want to go one better on the track and be the best 400m hurdler in the world.
'Maybe then, Dad will be known as ‘the father of Rhys Williams’ rather than me being known as ‘the son of JJ’.
‘Being Britain’s number one is nice but not the end of my ambitions. I want to be the best and I’ll keep trying to achieve that.’
Williams has been reported as saying that this year is a make-or-break for him and he is standing by what seems to be a pretty harsh assessment of his career so far.
'I don’t want to be the nearly man. I want to win something. I was out of the medals in the Commonwealth Games in March even though I ran a Welsh record time of 49.09 seconds.
'I have to make the transition from juniors to the seniors quickly and win something. So I must qualify for Britain’s team at the European Championships in Gothenburg in August.
‘That is what I am training for now.’
Williams is coached by Nick Dakin at Loughborough University where the Welshman is studying for his masters degree.
His ambitions have been given a boost by his being promoted to the World Class Performance Pathway by UK Athletics whose performance director Dave Collins believes he is ready to make the leap into the top echelon.
‘This is a massive boost to my career,’ said Williams.
‘I will have access to the best medical and physio support possible who will be able to concentrate on keeping me fit and healthy while I concentrate on getting faster over the hurdles.’