media_artricles :: 2014

Walcott out National Championship

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Olympic Gold Medallist Keshorn Walcott will be missing when the much fancied javelin event at the Sagicor National Track and Field Championship takes place today at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The lanky javelin thrower who became the first ever black athlete to have won a throwing event in the history of the Olympics with a throw of 84.58 metres, has been ruled out of the games on medical grounds. This revelation came at a press briefing at the Stadium last week by Walcott himself but he did not explain the nature of the problem.

He said however that he is expected to be back to full fitness soon and will therefore be back in action. Walcott’s exclusion from the games has been a huge disappointment for many track and field supporters and fans who were hoping to catch a glimpse of the Toco-born athlete in action at the stadium. Only recently Walcott won his first gold medal since his podium finish at the 2012 Olympics in London, England, at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing China. Meanwhile there were victories for the country’s top sprinters who advanced to yesterday’s semi-finals. Triple Olympic silver medallist Richard “Torpedo” Thompson cruised to victory in heat 11 to assure his place in the semis.

With the only top two of each heat moving on to the semis, Thompson was quick out of the blocks to build up an early lead and then he took his foot off the pedal to cross the line first in a time of 10.44 seconds while Kyle Jeaous in 10.49 to also secire a place in the semis.

Keston Bledman who had been doubtful for the national championship, also won in heat one in 10.46 seconds with Hollan Cabara of Abilene Wildcats second in 10.47 seconds.

Among the Women Michelle Lee Ahye blewing past the challenging field in 11.13 second for Rebirth while Rayare Thomas secured the runner-up spot in 11.64.

Top