Trinidad & Tobago celebrates double gold with two athletics victories · Global Voices
Trinbagonian track and fielder <PERSON> after winning the Men's 200 m semi-final at the London 2017 World Championships (L) and javelin thrower <PERSON> (R). Photo of <PERSON> by ChiralJon on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0) and photo of <PERSON> by Citizen59 on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).
Two back-to-back sporting wins had Trinidad and Tobago's blogosphere celebrating. On March 18, decorated javelin thrower <PERSON> made a triumphant mark on the 2022 competition circuit when he won gold in the Men’s Javelin at the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia, while track and field sprinter <PERSON> added his name to the hall of world champions by clinching the gold medal in the Men's 400 m event at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 19.
In a breathtaking 84.68m throw, <PERSON> was easily able to fend off his closest rivals, Americans <PERSON> (76.68m) who took second place, and <PERSON> (75.06m), who earned the bronze medal. It was <PERSON>'s first meet since competing at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
<PERSON> meanwhile, who currently ranks seventh in the world in the Men’s 200m, won Trinidad and Tobago’s first-ever gold medal in the 400m event. He also set a new championship record of 45 seconds by breaking the national indoor record of 45.03, which was previously held by Trinbagonian track and fielder <PERSON>, who died in a car accident in Texas this past January. <PERSON> dedicated his win to his late teammate.
Close behind <PERSON> was American <PERSON>, who also clocked a personal best of 45.05 to cop the silver medal, and Sweden’s <PERSON>, who clinched the bronze in a time of 45.33. <PERSON>’ win was not unexpected, as he had also secured the gold medal at February's New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in New York.
<PERSON>’ teammate <PERSON> called team Trinidad and Tobago's performance in Serbia “one for the books”:
Our team was small in number but big in heart. 641
Congrats to the athletes who represented with distinction. Win loose [sic] or draw we are in this together.
In that spirit, supporters back home also celebrated with the athletes. On Facebook, <PERSON> wrote:
We must all feel proud!!!.
<PERSON> is a World Champion -
First T&T Athlete to win gold in the men's 400M at the World Indoor Championship. He also set a new Championship record of 45 Sec flat.
Congrats <PERSON>!!!!
Twitter users also acknowledged the win:
🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹
First Trinidadian to win gold
🥇🥇🥇at the World Athletics Indoors Championships and capture the Championship Record with a time of 45.00 seconds in the Men 400m not to mention breaking the National Record🏃🏾‍♂️💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
#JareemRichards #ReemRich pic.twitter.com/7X5wt2DPze
— 🇹🇹🏁♈<PERSON> (@itzbuellzfoolin) March 20, 2022
Even the country's prime minister, <PERSON>, commended <PERSON> on his performance.
Social media users also showed their love for <PERSON>, whose steady and consistent performance over the last decade — in a sport that has traditionally not been populated by Black male athletes — always brings the Caribbean region great pride. <PERSON> has previously won Olympic gold (London, 2012) and bronze (Rio de Janeiro, 2016) in the javelin throw, as well as a plethora of medals at events like the Commonwealth and Pan American Games.
Facebooks user <PERSON> praised his perseverance, while <PERSON> commented:
Congratulations, great come back. Sometimes your fate is tested but endurance is the proof of true commitment. Keep the fire burning hero from Trinidad and Tobago. Bless up.
As <PERSON> and <PERSON> continue to add to their tally of wins, the tiny twin-island nation can expect more reasons to celebrate. 910