IT’S A BRONZE

Walcott won this country’s second gold medal in the history of the Olympics when he topped the men’s javelin with a top throw of 84.58 metres at the 2012 London Olympics.

Last night he earned the bronze medal yesterday with a top throw of 85.38m on his second of six attempts.

Hasely Crawford became the first person from TT to win gold at the Olympics when he beat the field in the men’s 100m event at the 1976 Montreal Games.

Dethroning Walcott last night was German Thomas Rohler who tossed the javelin a massive 90.30m on his fifth attempt to seal the gold medal.

Taking silver was Kenyan Julius Yego who threw a season best 88.24m on his first attempt.

Twelve athletes began the men’s javelin final with each of them attempting three throws and the top eight earning three more throws.

Along with the top three finishers Johannes Vetter (Germany), Dmytro Kosynskyy (Ukraine), Antti Ruuskanen (Finland), Vitezslav Vesely (Czech Republic) and Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic) earned three more attempts.

Walcott recorded 83.45m on his first throw, followed by 85.38m, 83.38m and 80.33m on his other attempts.

He intentionally fouled his fifth and sixth attempts after he realised those efforts were lower than his previous attempts. Walcott entered the final with the top throw in the qualification round on Wednesday, recording a distance of 88.68m.

In an interview with ESPN after the event Walcott said, “I know my capabilities.

I know I could have thrown further, but I started fighting against the javelin. So that was a big mistake for me. My first three throws were pretty well with the rhythm but after that I just wanted too much.” On winning TT’s first medal at the Games Walcott said, “I will like to thank God for that. I know the people have been coming down hard on the TT athletes and hopefully this will give them a little ease up.” Walcott urged the TT public to keep supporting him. “Keep having faith in me and I am going to try my best each and every time. Thank you.” Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon was a satisfied man after the event.

Rondon stated, “I am happy and I was positive he was bringing home a medal. We will do a drive through to Toco and a celebration Toco style for Keshorn. When Keshorn won that gold four years ago he inspired those children. We had a big improvement in athletics at the Toco Composite School. This one again is for the kids.” Walcott, who was born and raised in Toco, attended the Toco Composite School.