Every week, thousands gather in stadiums, huddle around radios or group up in front of a television screen to watch sports. Football, basketball, baseball and even hockey are mainstay sporting events in American culture about which people are passionate. For Nikaoli Williams, though, track is his passion.

“I’ve been in track since kindergarten,” said Williams, who is a member of Oklahoma City, Northwest. “Track is like football in Jamaica. Everybody wants to play football in America. (It’s) the same thing in Jamaica, everybody wants to do track and field.”

Williams’ transition from life in Jamaica to America was not an easy one. He sought out track scholarships at schools across the nation. Williams was denied numerous times because even though he had the potential to be a great athlete, there were no results to prove it since COVID had prevented him from competing more.

“It was hard knowing I had worked so hard, finally got the chance to make the team, and even team captain, and then COVID happened. I didn’t even get to showcase what potential that God bestowed upon me,” said Williams.

Despite this, Williams remained positive and realized that it was another calling for him to be patient. Eventually, he received a “half-track, half-academic” scholarship to Northwestern State University in Louisiana but was injured in his freshman year.

However, in his second year at Northwestern, Williams finally got his chance to show the world his talents. During the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) East Prelims, Willaims finished 21st in the long jump category. He would only continue to improve and compete in higher level events in long jump, all culminating this year where Williams competed at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. There he qualified for the finals and placed ninth overall.

Alongside his physical training, Willaims sought out spiritual training. As a student athlete the University of Oklahoma (OU), Williams was searching for a church. He began attending Oklahoma City, Northwest where he met lead pastor Rob Lindley. Williams began to lean more and more on God as he continued to compete. Lindley stood behind Williams and constantly reminded him to seek the Kingdom of God first, no matter what.

“Pastor (Lindley) always reiterates, ‘seek God and His Kingdom first’,” said Williams. “So, I sought Him first and everything that I wanted in life came after.”

Both Williams and Lindley recognized that no part of Williams’ success was fully his own, it was God who was enabling him to compete to the fullest.

“I think one of the things that I’ve seen in (Williams’) life is a humility to know that God is in control of (Williams’) career,” said Lindley. “That He is the One that is orchestrating it all.”

To hear more of Williams’ story, listen to the Messenger Insight podcast “Professional Long Jumper Competes for a Higher Purpose”.