Success welcomes those who fearlessly face failure -

writer Nitin Namdeo.

FOR two-time Trinidad and Tobago Olympic medallist Keshorn Walcott, his inability to qualify for the men's javelin final at last year's Tokyo Games was the most devastating moment of his career.

His furthest throw, from three attempts in the qualifying round at the Japan National Stadium, was 79.33 metres; just over three metres short of the advancing 12 finalists.

This was the first time in Walcott's Olympic career that he did not progress to the medal round. At his Olympic debut eight years prior in London, he shocked the world by winning gold (84.58m) and then captured bronze (85.38m) at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Diehard fans believed he was TT's most eligible prospect to secure an Olympic medal in Tokyo.

In Walcott's first public interview since his Olympic performance, he details the events which led up to that fateful day in Tokyo, what happened at the stadium and how he recovered from what he says was a life-changing experience.

'The problem was, I was hurt (injured). In June, while I was in Portugal, I started feeling some discomfort in my right Achilles. The last two competitions I did in Europe before the Olympics were too close together.

'Despite my chiropractor (Dr Alban Merepeza) coming to Tokyo, it never recovered. After that, my training went down because I was not really able to throw a lot. At the Games, my mind and eyes were there but my body did not answer. It was difficult for me,' he said.

The pain in his right foot increased significantly after he competed. Following two back-to-back pre-Olympic meets in Finland and Switzerland, where he threw 89.12m and 85.16m respectively, Walcott may have overworked himself.

But with the Games four weeks away, it was too late to turn back.

Walcott continued, 'I knew it was going to be a problem in Tokyo. When we warmed up outside the stadium before the javelin event, it took more than 45 minutes to reach inside to compete. I tried my best to stay as warm as possible but my foot was like 'no.'

'By the time I got inside, I was limping and immediately knew this wasn't going to go well. I tried my best but there was only so much I could do. If you look at the videos, I was slower in everything; running and throwing.

'After a while, I told my coach that 'I can't, I'm trying but it's not happening'. Everybody was disappointed. I was disappointed because I know the possibility (of me medalling) was there but it is what it is.'

After his performance, Walcott was dejected. He returned to his hotel room and did not come out until the following night. He couldn't believe it. Having medalled at the past two editions, being eliminated in the first round was never a part of the plan.

Walcott was also crestfallen for his coach Ismael Lopez Mastrapa and Merepeza, who worked diligently to ensure he was in the best possible form to compete on the biggest stage.

'I've had bad days in my career but that was the hardest pill to swallow. Not getting into th