OLYMPIC 2012 javelin gold medal winner Keshorn Walcott warmed up for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with a top throw of 82.90 metres at the 2016 Falcons Invitational Meet at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago on Saturday.
Walcott, representing Rebirth, recorded his top throw on his second attempt which saw him win gold. Walcott, who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics with a top throw of 84.58m, landed the spear at 79.86m on his third attempt and 76.09m on his fifth throw. He fouled his first, fourth and sixth attempts.
Finishing second was Walcott’s Rebirth teammate Shakiel Waithe with a throw of 74.50m, while Precious George of University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT ) Fast Track was third in 57.40m. Walcott will aim to defend his title at the Rio Olympics from August 5-21.
In the men’s discus throw, Quincy Wilson of Rebirth needed just one throw to break his own national record. His first attempt of 59.65m surpassed his 2011 record of 59.60m.
Paralympic athlete Akeem Stewart of Falcons was second with a throw of 53.78m and Kesean Phillips of UWI grabbed bronze with a 50.10m effort.
Many of the top national sprinters were carded to compete at the Blue Marlin Track Meet in Bahamas yesterday, therefore many national junior athletes took centre stage in Tobago.
In the women’s shot put, former national junior athlete Portious Warren of Toco Tafac won gold with an effort of 14.85m.
Chelsea James, who earned a bronze medal for TT in the girls Under-20 event at the Carifta Games earlier this year, was second with a throw of 14.15m.
Kechelle Douglas of UTT Fast Track was third with a 11.18 effort.
In the men’s 200m, Akanni Hislop of Zenith won gold in 21.41 seconds ahead of Kevin Haynes (TT Defence Force) in 21.58 and Quin-Lee Ralph (Concorde) in 21.60. Hislop won gold at the 2016 Carifta Games in the boys U-20 200m.