media_artricles :: 2016

Nation throws support behind Keshorn

Sport fans in Trinidad and Tobago will be glued to their television sets tonight, urging on their son of the soil Keshorn Walcott as he seeks to retain his javelin title at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four years ago, Walcott went into the London Games as a World Junior champion simply seeking to gain international experience. An 84.58m throw in the final changed his plans entirely. He is now an Olympic champion and with a massive 88.68m throw in the qualification round on Wednesday he has suddenly emerged as the favourite for the gold medal when action throws off at 7.55pm.

Also in today's field is Czech Republic's Vitezlav Vesely, a 2013 World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, Kenyan Julius Yego, the reigning World champion and Finland's Antti Ruuskanen who was runner-up to Walcott four years ago in London.

Walcott's monster throw in the qualification round - a season's best - has set tongues wagging in anticipation of possibly another gold medal.

Coached by Cuban Ismael Mastrapa Lopez, Walcott, has emerged as a force to contend with on the international stage.

A throw of 90.16m in July last year in the Diamond League illustrated he is one of the best in the world and another gold medal today will immortalise him in the javelin world at just 23 years old.

His home town of Toco is buzzing with excitement with friends and family all waiting to erupt in euphoria of achieving another medal.

Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon has already predicted gold and continues to be proud of the Toco native.

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