Jereem Richards wins 400m bronze at World Athletics Ultimate Championships

Trinidad and Tobago: Jereem Richards won the bronze medal in the men’s 400 metres race in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Saturday. He clocked 44.23 seconds to secure the bronze medal.

The Botswanan athlete, Collen Kebinatshipi won the race in a new national record time of 43.39 seconds. American Rai Benjamin was second in the race as he crossed the finish line in 44.15 seconds.

Richards entered the final among other talented athletes including several medalists from other major championships. He advanced to the final after finishing fourth in his heat in 44.44 seconds.

His third-place finish earned him another international medal. He won the silver medal in the 400m race at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The race was won by Kebinatshipi, who also won the title in Budapest.

Following the race, Richards thanked God for helping him during the race. "I felt great, glory to God. I was able to go out there and finish top three, out of lane two," he stated.

The 32-year-old athlete also mentioned that his religious belief was the reason he managed to stay strong during the race. He said that his next priority is to spend more time with his family and to take a break from competition.

The athlete appealed for more support for athletics and advocated that more attention be paid to the sport. “Let's take track and field serious, please. Invest in sport, invest in track and field,” said Richards.

Richards had earlier talked about the importance of athletics for the nation. In an interview conducted by World Athletics in 2024, he described track and field as one of the most successful sports in Trinidad and Tobago. The athlete also expressed his wish to use his platform to keep people interested in the sport.