Trinidad PM hails historic World Championships medals for Walcott and Richards

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has congratulated athletes Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards on their record-breaking performances at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, calling their achievements “a source of immense pride and distinction” for the nation.

Walcott, the 2012 Olympic javelin champion, struck gold with a throw of 88.16 metres, becoming the first Trinidad and Tobago athlete to win both Olympic and World Championship titles. On the same day, Richards stormed to a silver medal in the men’s 400 metres, setting a new national record of 43.72 seconds and becoming only the second Trinidad and Tobago athlete to reach the World Championship 400m podium.

“Together, these outstanding athletes produced Trinidad and Tobago’s best-ever World Championship performance, proving once again that greatness can emerge from a small island state when talent is nurtured and dreams pursued,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.

The prime minister announced that the government will formally reward both athletes and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s sporting infrastructure, from upgrading facilities to providing scholarships and youth programs.

“Our athletes carry more than medals; they carry our spirit, our resilience, and the image of our nation before the world,” she said, pledging continued investment in sports as a “pillar of national development.”

Persad-Bissessar praised the athletes’ perseverance and credited their families, coaches, and support teams, adding that their victories will inspire a new generation of young Trinidadians and Tobagonians to dream big and aim high.