Caribbean Power! Walcott, Richards, and Hernández lead regional medal charge
Key Points(5)
- Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott delivered a golden moment on Thursday at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, launching his spear to a season-best 88.16 meters.
- It was enough to outduel Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who secured silver with 87.38 meters.
- The United States’ Curtis Thompson rounded out the podium at 86.67 meters.
- “It feels incredible to be back on top,” Walcott said, his victory adding another chapter to his already storied career.
- <h2>Richards blazes to national record silver</h2> Moments later, Trinidad and Tobago doubled its medal haul when Jereem Richards stormed from lane two to take silver in the men’s 400 meters.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott delivered a golden moment on Thursday at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, launching his spear to a season-best 88.16 meters.
It was enough to outduel Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who secured silver with 87.38 meters. The United States’ Curtis Thompson rounded out the podium at 86.67 meters.
“It feels incredible to be back on top,” Walcott said, his victory adding another chapter to his already storied career.
Richards blazes to national record silver
Moments later, Trinidad and Tobago doubled its medal haul when Jereem Richards stormed from lane two to take silver in the men’s 400 meters. Richards clocked a blistering national record of 43.72 seconds, trailing only Botswana’s Busang Kebinatshipi, who set a world-leading 43.53 seconds.
Bayapo Ndori, also of Botswana, surged late to snatch bronze in a season-best 44.20 seconds—edging Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald, who lost form in the final meters and slipped to fourth in 44.28 seconds.
McLaughlin-Levrone makes history
The women’s 400 meters unfolded as a showcase of dominance from American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Attempting the flat 400m at a major global meet for the first time, the 400m hurdles world record holder stormed to gold in a Championship Record 47.78 seconds.
The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino chased hard for silver in a national record 47.98 seconds, while Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Nasser seized bronze in 48.19 seconds. Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce, running from the difficult inside lane, faded to eighth in 49.97 seconds.
Hernandez leads Caribbean triple jump sweep
The Caribbean’s strength extended to the field, where Cuba’s Leyanis Hernández soared to a world-leading 14.94 meters to capture the women’s triple jump crown.
Olympic champion Thea LaFond of Dominica produced a season-best 14.89 meters for silver, while Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas—back from surgery—secured bronze with 14.76 meters.
Cuba nearly added another medal as Liadagmis Povea finished fourth (14.72m). Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts placed fifth (14.56m), while teammate Ackelia Smith managed eighth (14.37m).
Jamaican momentum builds in the sprints
Though missing the podium on Thursday, Jamaica positioned itself for fireworks ahead. Bryan Levell continued his rise with a stunning 19.78-second win in his 200-meter semi-final, defeating Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana (19.95).
Soon after, defending world champion Noah Lyles (USA) issued his own warning, scorching his semi-final in 19.51 seconds. The Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando also advanced with 19.98 seconds.
Adrian Kerr (20.08, PB) and Chris Taylor (20.21, PB) bowed out despite lifetime-best efforts.
In the women’s 200m, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson breezed into the final with a season-best 21.99 seconds. Ashanti Moore (22.51) narrowly missed qualification, while Bahamian star Anthonique Strachan limped through with what appeared to be cramps in 22.48 seconds. She could be a doubt for the final.
Anderson makes Jamaican history in the 800m
History came in the men’s 800 meters, where Navasky Anderson stormed to 1:43.72 minutes—breaking the Jamaican national record and advancing to the final. He becomes the first Jamaican man ever to reach that stage at the World Championships.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for years,” Anderson said. “To finally break through on this stage means everything.”
Teammate Tyrice Taylor faded to seventh in his heat (1:46.56) and did not progress.
On the women’s side, Natoya Goule-Toppin won her heat in 1:59.66 minutes, advancing with ease, while Adelle Tracey (2:01.70) fell short. Cuba’s Daily Gaspar posted a lifetime best 1:58.16 minutes to advance, but St. Vincent’s Shafiqua Maloney (2:03.12) and Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford (2:02.63) were eliminated.
Friday’s medal hunt
While Lamara Distin suffered disappointment with no mark in the high jump qualifiers, Jamaica remains primed for redemption on Friday. Finals in the men’s and women’s 200m, the men’s triple jump, and the women’s 400-meter hurdles all promise medal opportunities, alongside the women’s 800-meter semi-finals.
The stage is set for another day of drama, and the Caribbean athletes are determined to keep their nations’ flags flying high.
