PAULA Williams broke her own British record in the shot put to win gold at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Athletic club athlete took gold in the W50 shot put with a huge throw of 13.96m.
This saw her claim gold by a margin of 33 centimetres, breaking her own British record in the process.
Williams said: “My two warm-up throws were great and made me dream I could get over 13 metres. My first throw was a no throw – it landed wide of the sector.
“Not the best start and the standard was high. As the rounds progressed and I got a safe throw in I concentrated hard at the back of the ring.
“I took a deep breath and went for it. As soon as the shot left my fingertips I knew it was good – I just didn’t know how good.
“The other ladies were all lovely and we were all supportive of each other throughout It was real treat to produce a PB at the World Championships.”
After a no throw to start the competition, Williams found herself in second place after three throws and joined seven other athletes in the final round.
However, a stunning fourth throw saw her win gold as she smashed her personal best by 40 centimetres.
She also competed in the 100m despite suffering an Achilles injury at the European Masters Championships in Poland earlier this year after which she was told she might not be able to run again until January next year.
Williams sailed through her heat in first place and finished second in her semi-final to qualify through to the final where she finished seventh in a competitive race.
However, Williams claimed her second medal of the Championships after winning bronze as a member of Great Britain’s 4x100m relay quartet. She ran the first leg to put the team in contention for a medal.
Williams will also race in the 80m hurdles later in the Championships.
