Born: 1929 (Dunedin, New Zealand)
Died: 2019
Biography:
Dame Yvette Winifred Corlett DNZM MBE (née Williams; 25 April 1929 – 13 April 2019) was a New Zealand track-and-field athlete who made history as the first woman from her country to win an Olympic gold medal and to hold the world record in the women’s long jump. Throughout her career, Williams displayed outstanding athletic prowess and solidified her place as a trailblazer for women in sports. Her remarkable achievements, dedication, and passion for athletics continue to inspire generations.
Yvette Williams was born on April 25, 1929, in Dunedin, New Zealand. Growing up in Dunedin, she attended Otago Girls’ High School and displayed a natural aptitude for sports. Notably, Williams excelled in netball, earning a spot on the school’s top team, and represented Otago and the South Island. Her athleticism extended beyond netball and she also represented Otago, the South Island, and New Zealand in basketball from 1950 to 1955.
In early 1947, Williams joined the Otago Athletic Club, initially for social reasons. Just two months later, she made a name for herself by winning the shot put at the New Zealand athletics championships. This marked the beginning of an illustrious career that saw Williams win an incredible 21 national titles across five different disciplines: shot put (1947-1954), javelin (1950), discus (1951-1954), long jump (1948-1954), and the 80m hurdles (1954). With these 21 New Zealand titles, Williams earned her place as the joint second-most successful female athlete in New Zealand history at that level, alongside Beatrice Faumuina and Melissa Moon. Only Val Young boasts more national titles, claiming an impressive 35.
Jim Bellwood, who moved to Dunedin in late 1947 or early 1948, became Williams’ trainer. When Bellwood relocated to Auckland in 1952, Williams followed suit, boarding with an aunt and uncle in Devonport. This decision proved significant for her career.
Despite being controversially left out of the New Zealand team for the 1948 Olympic Games in London, Williams had her moment of triumph at the 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland. She secured gold in the long jump with a winning leap of 19 feet 4+5/8 inches (5.91 m), breaking both national and Empire Games records. Additionally, Williams claimed the silver medal in the women’s javelin with a throw of 124 feet 6+3/4 inches (37.97 m).
In 1951, Williams continued to showcase her dominance in long jump by jumping 20 feet 1+3/8 inches (6.13 m) at a meet in Melbourne. This remarkable distance proved to be the third-best ever achieved by a woman at the time. Not only did Williams excel in the long jump, but she also broke records in shot put and became the New Zealand discus record holder.
The year 1952 marked a series of milestones for Williams. At the New Zealand championships, she became the first woman in history to jump over 20 feet (6.10 m) more than once, winning the long jump title with a distance of 20 feet 7+3/4 inches (6.29 m). However, this distance was not recognized as a world record as it was wind-assisted. In the same year, Williams also set a New Zealand record in the pentathlon with a score of 4219 points, a record that stood for a decade.
Williams’ crowning achievement came at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. In the long jump event, she soared to victory, capturing the gold medal and etching her name in history as the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal. This triumph was a testament to Williams’ exceptional talent, dedication, and perseverance.
Throughout her career, Yvette Williams achieved numerous accolades and left an indelible mark on the world of athletics. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored as the Athlete of the Century by Athletics New Zealand in 1987 on the organization’s 100th anniversary.
Yvette Williams’ groundbreaking achievements and enduring legacy continue to inspire and empower women in sports. Her determination, talent, and unwavering dedication to her craft helped pave the way for future generations of female athletes.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medal in the long jump at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.