I wanted to make final junior year a great one - James

Tiffany James created history by becoming the first Jamaican female to win a global title in the 400 m at the recent World Under 20 Championships in Bydgoszcz. Poland.

James went into the Championships as the third ranked athlete with a personal best of 52.06 seconds. From the moment she touched the track it was evident that she was on a mission.

She won her first heat easily in 52.98 seconds to be the fastest qualifier. She stepped up the pace in the next round, obliterating the field to win her semi-final in a personal best 51.77 seconds, improving on her previous best 52.06 seconds.

James, who had expressed a lot of confidence at the National Championships said she was not surprised by her historic achievement.

was disappointed

"I believed in myself and this was my final year as a junior so I wanted to make it a great one. I was disappointed at the Carifta Games not winning but I told myself I still have time to pick up," she told STAR Sports.

"I worked hard and I built more confidence after seeing the run I made in the semi-finals and it was just discipline, dedication and determination," she added.

James said she was nervous entering the starting blocks.

"But I told myself that I have worked hard for this and I cannot control what anyone else does in their lane. It was a tough race but in the end I pulled through," she said.

With the Under 20 World Championships being her final representation as a junior she is looking forward to her senior years of competition."

"Next year starting 2017, my first senior year which I think is World University Games I would like to be there and I will be also working hard for a spot on the World Senior Championships team," she said finally.