Port of Spain was aglow with triumph and inspiration on Saturday evening as Jereem “The Dream” Richards and Leah Bertrand were crowned Senior Male and Female Athletes of the Year at the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) annual awards gala.
Held at the prestigious Radisson Hotel on Wrightson Road, the ceremony lauded the country’s most illustrious athletes for their record-breaking achievements in 2024.
A season to remember for Richards and Bertrand
Richards, recently named Trinidad and Tobago’s Sportsman of the Year by the T&T Olympic Committee, added yet another accolade to his collection by being recognized as the top men’s track athlete. His breath-taking performances included anchoring the national team to gold in the 4×100 meters relay at the CARIFTA Games, alongside teammates Hakeem Chinapoo, Che Wickham, Kadeem Chinapoo, Mikhail Byer, and Dylan Woodruff, holding off fierce rivals Jamaica. Kadeem Chinapoo later earned the coveted President’s Award for his contributions.
Richards’ Olympic campaign in Paris was equally memorable. Running the race of his life in the 400 meters final, he set a new national record of 43.78 seconds, an electrifying performance despite narrowly missing the podium. His heartfelt apology to Trinidad and Tobago for not clinching a medal was met with admiration and respect, highlighting the immense pride he continues to inspire.
Bertrand, making her Olympic debut, dazzled onlookers as she reached the semi-finals of the 100 meters. Domestically, she dominated the season, claiming the national title in the same event and adding Outdoor Big Ten Championships in both the 100 meters and 4×100 meters relay to her resume. Her exploits cemented her as one of the nation’s brightest stars.
Field stars and rising talent celebrated
Olympic javelin gold medalist Keshorn Walcott once again demonstrated his prowess, earning the Male Field Athlete of the Year award. Meanwhile, Portious Warren secured the Female Field Athlete of the Year title, continuing her reign as a dominant force in shot put.
The future of Trinidad and Tobago athletics was also in the spotlight. Tafari Waldron, the 2023 UWI Half Marathon champion, was named Junior Male Athlete of the Year, while sprint sensation Janae De Gannes captured the Junior Female Athlete of the Year honor.
A night of reflection and celebration
David Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Community Development, delivered a stirring tribute to the athletes, emphasizing the importance of their journeys.
“Tonight, we celebrate not just the victories but the journey,” Roberts declared. “We recognize the moments of triumph and the lessons learned in defeat. We celebrate the camaraderie, the sportsmanship, and the unbreakable bonds forged through competition.”
The evening also featured appearances by sporting legends, including Hasely Crawford, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Olympic gold medalist, and Larry Romany, chairman of Sports TT. In his keynote address, Che Richards praised the honorees for their resilience and commitment to excellence, underscoring the broader impact of their achievements on the nation.
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