Keshorn Walcott: Trinidad and Tobago Relishes 2nd Gold Medal in Nation's History

The dual-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is not a world superpower—it boasts just 1.3 million people.

Known for cricket, doubles and its annual Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago is by no means an Olympic powerhouse.

So when 19-year-old Keshorn Walcott earned the gold medal in the javelin Saturday, there was cause for jubilation.

Despite a tropical depression pounding the island as this is written, members of this proud culture collectively waved red, white and black.

Walcott, who hails from Toco—a small village that intersects the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean sea—won just the second gold medal in the nation's history.

Do not try to thief this guy's house, per Kwame Laurence of The Trinidad Express, Walcott “won the men’s javelin title with a huge 84.58 metres throw. A magical moment for Walcott, history for T&T. Awesome!”

Magical indeed. Walcott edged Ukraine’s Oleksandr Pyatnytsya "277’ 5 7/8” to 277’ 3 1/4 overall," per Yahoo! Sports.

For T&T, this is the nation’s first gold medal since the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. That year, track star Hasely Crawford, a native of San Fernando, won the 200-metre title.

Ato Boldon, another T&T native and now a track and field commentator for NBC Sports, is also a four-time Olympic medal winner.

Both champions have stadiums named in their honor.

While major world powers count the gold rush of medals during Olympic competition, T&T never takes wins like this for granted.

From Port of Spain to Baltimore/D.C. and to Queens, Trini nation relished the moment when Walcott stood high atop the podium, as this nation’s red flag with a black stripe edged in white proudly waved.  

“It was a real shocker,” said Daniel Pancham, a native of T&T, who excitedly watched events unfold from Balmain Village.

“Cars were heard tooting their horns throughout Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Arima as this tiny twin-island nation of 1.3 million celebrates what has taken it 36 years to accomplish,” reported Breaking News, Trinidad and Tobago.

Not since their football club earned a trip to the 2006 World Cup in Germany has the nation been so excited to be included in the international spotlight.

For a nation that certainly knows how to celebrate, this victory is well-deserved.

Watch YouTube video of Walcott on podium here (courtesy of carlosvnzla69).