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Victory in Italy: Breanna Williams displays on Friday, March 28, 2025, the gold medal she earned in world competition at the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy.Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star
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Countless hours on the ice led to a golden moment for Windsor’s Breanna Williams, who etched her name in history after winning gold at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy.
“I was very shocked to bring home the gold medal,” Williams told the Star. “I’m very happy with myself to do that.”
After clinching gold at last year’s Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary, Williams, 16, secured her spot on Team Canada to compete on the world stage in the northern Italian city of Turin. She was the only athlete from Windsor-Essex to qualify for the Canadian Special Olympics team.
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The gold medal win marks Williams’ first time competing at the national and international levels.
“I didn’t know that I would be competing against boys but I knew I could beat them and bring home the gold,” Williams said. “I’m happy I did did that. I worked so hard on the ice.”
Breanna Williams skates at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Friday, March 28, 2025, after having recently won gold at the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy.Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star
Williams has been skating since the age of four and is a long-time client of the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC), which provides specialized rehabilitation and support services to children and youth in Windsor-Essex.
“Breanna’s gold medal win is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and passion for figure skating,” the centre said in a statement. “She has not only brought pride to Windsor-Essex but also inspired athletes across Canada with her incredible achievement.”
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Williams said she has her eyes set on competing on the world stage again next year, but for now, she’s focused on getting back to practicing with her coach.
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“I am very proud of Breanna and all her accomplishments with her skating,” said her mother Bridget Williams. “I was very happy when she won that gold medal at worlds.
“It was a lot of hard work — I am very thankful to her coach for helping Breanna succeed with her dream to win at the worlds. She is an excellent and caring coach.”
The Special Olympics are tailored to individuals with intellectual disabilities, unlike the Paralympics, which are for athletes with physical disabilities in addition to some specific intellectual disabilities.
