Keshorn Walcott won Trinidad and Tobago’s first gold of London 2012 with a win in the men’s javelin by just seven centimeters.
The 19 year old produced the biggest competitive throw of his life to break the national record with 84.58 meters and bring a first field event gold to Trinidad and Tobago, traditionally a track-focused country.
Silver went to Oleksandr Pyatnytsya of Ukraine with a throw of 84.51 meters, while bronze went to Finland’s Antti Ruuskaanen with 84.12 meters.
Reigning Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway could only manage fifth after throwing 82.63 meters.
Walcott’s winning throw remained some 14 meters short of javelin legend Jan Zelezny’s 16 year old world record.
