At 15 years old, Breanna Williams is the only athlete from Windsor-Essex to have qualified in Figure Skating for the 2024 National Winter Games in Calgary. But Breanna’s story starts more than six years before she competed with athletes from across the country earlier this year.
Breanna first started skating at four years old, falling in love with the sport and working toward winning gold in the years since. “I’ve been skating since I was a little girl and this is a dream come true.” To achieve her goal, Breanna regularly trains with the Leamington Skating Club at a local rink, including getting on the ice as often as four days a week. “When preparing, I get to skate more and I love that!”
The John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC) in Windsor has been a long-time supporter, but Breanna’s achievements are a result of her own hard work. “We have watched Breanna grow from a little girl into the remarkably determined and talented young woman she is today,” says Jennifer Jovanovski, CEO of the JMCC. “Breanna continues to set goals for herself that many of us could only dream of. She works extremely hard to rise above any obstacles that stand in the way of achieving her goals.”
For the 2024 National Games, Breanna came home with two medals: a bronze in dance and the coveted gold for Level 5 Free Skate Solo. But beyond the training, rehearsals, and competitions, she also made new friends along the way, which is one of the most important aspects of what Special Olympics provides for our athletes. “I was excited to meet new people there and to meet my training coaches,” Breanna says.
Now that Breanna has competed with athletes from all across Canada and brought home the gold she hoped for, her next big goal could see her represent more than just Windsor-Essex and Ontario. But until a decision about the next games begin, Breanna has a few words of advice for athletes who are just starting out: “If it’s your first-time skating, keep skating. Don’t worry if you fall down; have fun. Don’t be nervous!”