Javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott may have set three new records for 2015, but the reigning Olympic champion was eliminated from the event at the World Championships here yesterday, after placing 26th out of 33 competitors. The Trinidadian athlete managed only two legal throws of 75.16 metres with his best effort of 76.83.
Walcott entered the championships as one of the pre-event favourites with a personal and season best of 90.16m but has been battling an ankle injury. “I just went out there, tried to perform well but it was just a bad competition,” he said. “No other explanation, just a bad competition. Of course, I expected better throws but I do not know what was going on.”
Walcott said his technique was off. “The distances were way off and you can see the results. There was a lack of competition for me since my ankle injury but my ankle held up good today and I am thanking God for that. But I would have to say it was a bad competition because I was really out of it,” a downcast Walcott said.
In 2013 , Walcott also failed to progress at the World Championships in Moscow and a reflective Walcott recalled: “I guess you can say that the World Championships is not my friend. Hopefully I can forget about it and moved on, learn whatever I can and see the bigger picture. Next year is a brand new year, so hopefully I can do better in the major championships.”
As to the troublesome ankle, Walcott revealed thant it was not completely healed. “So I just have to go back and continue working on it because I do not want to start back training with any problems. I think I am going to call the season there, and continue working on my ankle.”
Walcott said he was sorry for disappointing his fans. “I know most people will be disappointed but this is how it is in sport. We have our ups and downs. I expected better because this is what I trained for and although you know sometimes it feels like a wasted year, you have to take what it is and believe. Failure is a part of it. You need to fail in order to succeed sometimes as it gives you something to keep pushing forward,” stated Walcott
Walcott, 22, is optimistic about his future. “As for next year, I know I can throw long distances but I need to stay healthy. That is my major problem so that is going to be my main focus for the rest of 2015.” Another athlete to exit the stage was Sparkle Mcknight whose run in the 400 metres hurdle ame to a fighting end when she placed 5th in her heat.
“It was rough but I am grateful to having made it past the first round. My first 250m was good but my last 150m was not all that good. I think it was the tenseness and the competition that I had in the race. I made it get the better of me but it was an overall good performance for me,” McKnight said.