Keshorn Walcott won bronze in the men’s javelin finals on the Day Nine and final day of Athletics. Walcott finished third with a second round throw of 85.38m to win Trinidad and Tobago’s first medal in Rio.
The first to throw in the finals, Walcott opened with 83.45 to lie in fourth at the end of the first round. The defending champion, then improved to 85.38m to move into third. However, the 23 year old did not improve in his subsequent throws (83.38, 80.33, X, X).
Thomas Röhler of Germany took the gold with 90.30m ahead of Kenya’s Julius Yego(88.24).
Speaking after his bronze medal performance, Walcott said he was happy with his second Olympic podium finish.
“Thank God for another Olympic medal.” He added that he was hoping, as he was first competitor in the event, to get in a good throw.
“I wanted to relax on the first throw and start off the competition well, but that did not go well.” Walcott also said he felt he pushed too much in throws.
“I knew I could have thrown further but I kept fighting with the javelin and myself and that was a big mistake for me. I just wanted it too much.”
