In a remarkable career resurgence, Trinidad and Tobago’s javelin sensation Keshorn Walcott has ascended to the pinnacle of his sport once again, capturing the World Athletics Championships gold medal in Tokyo with a spectacular 88.16-meter throw on September 18, 2025. This triumphant achievement culminated an extraordinary season that began with uncertainty but transformed into glory through strategic coaching changes and mental transformation.
The 32-year-old Olympic champion attributes his successful comeback to German biomechanics expert Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, whom he partnered with early in 2025. ‘I took a risk. As they say, no risk, no story,’ Walcott revealed during his acceptance speech after receiving Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee’s Sportsman of the Year award on December 29—his third such honor following previous wins in 2012 and 2016.
Walcott’s journey to world championship gold required overcoming psychological barriers that had previously hindered his performance at global competitions. ‘I went to every World Championship believing it wasn’t for me,’ he confessed. ‘Most of the time, every World Championship year, I would be having some sort of injury or some sort of problems.’
The Toco-born athlete described how a shift in mindset proved crucial: ‘This time, it was about really believing that it was possible. I just needed to make some small changes.’ This mental breakthrough, combined with Bartonietz’s technical expertise, created the perfect formula for success.
With his world championship victory now complement his Olympic gold (2012) and bronze (2016), Walcott has set ambitious targets for the 2026 season. He aims to surpass the 90-meter barrier—a feat he previously accomplished a decade ago in Lausanne with a national record of 90.16m. The upcoming season presents multiple opportunities for excellence, including the Central American and Caribbean Games, Commonwealth Games, Diamond League circuit, and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Despite his renewed success, Walcott maintains that no achievement can replicate the euphoria of his unexpected Olympic gold as a teenager in London. Nevertheless, he expressed profound gratitude for the recent recognition from his national Olympic committee, acknowledging the significance of having his dedication and hard work validated by the sporting community.