Shericka Williams, this morning increased Jamaica's medal count to five by winning the silver medal in the women's 400 metre final at the Olympics in Beijing, China.

Following her personal best run of 49.69, she said, "I just went out there and did what my coach told me to do and it paid off . I'm really happy right now."

Williams also said that her coach always told her she could run faster and she believed and proved it today. She also said, while she came close to getting the gold, she is still happy with the result. "I am happy with the silver. You cannot do better than your personal best," she said.

In getting the silver medal, Williams beat the pre-race favourite, Sanya Richard. The Jamaican-born Richards finished third in a time of 49.93 seconds while Britain's Christine Ohuruogu won the race in a season best time of 49.62 seconds.

Eldemire Smith, who coached Williams when she attended St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), said the valiant runner stuck with the game plan and stunned the nation to capture a silver medal.

save her best

Smith said that during a telephone conversation with Williams last night, he advised her to run easy on the curve and to save her best for the straight.

"She did just about that," said Smith, saying he was surprised as he expected a bronze.

Former Holmwood Technical High student Rosemarie Whyte, who was also in the race, finished seventh with a time of 50.68.

Williams placed fifth at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships last year September in Osaka, Japan. She was also a member of the women's 4x400 relay team that won a silver medal at the Championships.