Last Post? My Favourite Sporting Moments

In this post, which may well be the last for my Class Project, I will reflect on my five favourite sporting moments to date. I am just 21 years of age so my favourite moments would not go far back. In fact my five favourite moments have all been within the past decade or so, therefore I trust that you will be familiar.

My favourite sports are cricket, football and athletics; and these very sporting disciplines make up my Top 5 Sporting Moments. This top 5 showcases some outstanding feats accomplished by sons of the soil and also the wider Caribbean. I hope you enjoy my Top 5 and I'm certain that one (or two) of these is fond in your memory as well.

5. Keshorn Walcott's Gold Medal Javelin Throw

Gold Medalist Keshorn Walcott shows off his new jewelry
Photo Courtesy Getty Images

This could have probably been higher given that we share a surname and all but Keshorn's outstanding effort at the 2012 London Olympics comes in at 5. This feat was made all the more incredible to me because Keshorn was still a junior and at the time was the World Junior Champ in the Javelin. This was not enough success for the Toco native though as his 84.58 metre throw topped his more experienced competitors and saw him capturing the second Olympic Gold Medal in this country's history. He shattered many records with his gigantic toss which included the national record mark for the Men's Javelin event, a mark which he has since increased to a staggering 85.77 metres. He also became the youngest Javelin Gold Medalist at the Olympics (aged 19 years, 131 days) and the first athlete to be the Junior and Olympic champ in the same year.                                                                                                                      


4. Brian Lara's Record Breaking 400 not out vs England

The Prince of Port of Spain rightfully reclaimed his record of having the highest individual score in a Test match innings when he battered the English bowling attack on a placid Antigua Recreational Ground pitch in April 2004. Lara's feat came some 10 years after his record breaking 375 against the same opposition and at the same venue; someone say deja vu? Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden had eclipsed Lara's 375 just months earlier but the classy left-hander was not having it. He put a torrid tour for himself and his West Indies team behind him with the groundbreaking effort, an effort which still stands untouched to this day. I was not witness to his 277 or his 501, so this 400 not out will have to do.

                                     Here is just a sample of what the 'Prince' did to England
                                     Video Taken from Youtube


3. Richard Thompson's Olympic Silver Medal in the 100m

Thompson's silver medal effort at the Beijing Olympics ranks a high third. The Men's 100 metre dash is probably the event that I show the keenest interest in when it comes to athletics, and even more so for the Olympic Games. "Thorpedo" bettered the likes of former world record holders Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay en route to his 9.89 (personal best at the time) second place finish in a final which was one by Usain Bolt. I think it's one of my favorite moments since I've always longed to see a Trini win Olympic Gold in one of the sprint events. Thompson did not get the gold but he was dang close; two tenths of a second close. The guy who beat him doesn't seem human anyway.

                                     
                                           Running against Bolt isn't even fair
                                           Video put together by Fraser Cairnduff



2. West Indies Champions Trophy Triumph in 2004

This was not too long after Lara's amazing 400* so West Indian fans had a lot to be happy about, and about time too. The West Indies cricket team had not won a trophy for over two decades and all I had known up to this point was heartache and teary eyes. Well the Bajan duo of Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw changed this when they dug the Windies out of a dicey situation at The Oval in England to upset the hosts. West Indies was batting 147 for 8 when the pair came together at the crease, still some 71 runs away from victory. I still had an inkling of hope at the time. The veteran pair turned that hope into unimaginable joy as they battled and toiled hard in the dimming evening light to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Bradshaw even borrowed a classic Lara cover-drive to seal the win.

Bradshaw and Browne celebrate to Alex Wharf's displeasure
Photo Courtesy Getty Images

1. T&T's qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany

This of course had to be Number 1

There are many fond memories from the "Soca Warriors" qualifying campaign for the 2006 football World Cup. However the one that stands out the most in my memory is the majestic header by the Dennis Lawrence against Bahrain which made this country's dreams of playing in a World Cup more than just a fantasy. The 6' 6" defender used all of his long frame to meet Dwight Yorke's corner and head into the Bahrain goal to cement his county's place in World Cup football history.
                               
                                                            Lawrence books the ticket to Germany
                                                                   Video taken from Youtube
                                                         

The other moments that should not be forgotten in the campaign include Chris Birchall's thunderous goal in the first leg of this very tie; Stern John's double vs Mexico to keep qualification hopes alive; and Kelvin Jack's stupendous stoppage time save in the second leg against Bahrain that helped secure that qualification spot.

My mum was fortunate enough to see the drama unfold in Germany as the "Soca Warriors" left an impression on the World. She brought back some souvenirs with her as well.

The Warriors line up for kickoff vs Paraguay in the final group match.
Photo courtesy Claudette Noel

Two Honourable Mentions are West Indies' triumph in the T20 World Cup in 2012 which was done in Gangnam Style and Paul Scholes' screamer vs Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final which paved the way for my team Manchester United to win it all in the final. What a goal though!

I have a feeling that December 2nd could provide many locals with another fond sporting memory. 

What do you think?

What are your favourite sporting moments?