Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting landscape reaches its annual pinnacle as the nation’s elite athletes converge at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain for the prestigious 31st Annual TT Olympic Committee Awards ceremony. This December 29th gala event serves as both a celebration of athletic excellence and a crucial milestone in the buildup to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott emerges as the overwhelming favorite for his third Sportsman of the Year title following his gold medal performance at the World Athletics Championships last August. The 32-year-old Olympic champion, who previously claimed the award after his London 2012 triumph and Rio 2016 bronze medal achievement, faces formidable competition from reigning champion Jereem Richards. The sprint specialist strengthened his case with a World Championships silver medal and a national record of 43.72 seconds in the 400m event.
Cycling sensation Nicholas Paul further enriches the competition landscape with his historic gold medal at the Bolivarian Games and triple crown victory at the Pan American Track Championships. The race for Sportswomen of the Year presents even greater intrigue, with defending champion Leah Bertrand continuing her ascent through sprint disciplines while cricketer Karishma Ramharack demonstrates exceptional leadership in guiding both national and regional teams to international success.
The junior categories showcase Trinidad and Tobago’s burgeoning talent pipeline, featuring standout performances from distance runner Christopher Sammy, sprint prodigy Shaniqua Bascombe, and cyclist Makaira Wallace. Swimmer Liam Carrington’s record-shattering campaign—featuring twelve gold medals and five Carifta records—positions him as the likely successor to Nikoli Blackman’s junior dominance.
This ceremony transcends individual recognition, marking strategic positioning within the emerging Olympic landscape that now includes cricket among its official disciplines. The awards highlight both established excellence and promising emerging talent across track, field, velodrome, and aquatic venues.