Jereem Richards sets Trinidad and Tobago 400m record to win Diamond League final silver

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago. Jereem Richards set a new Trinidad and Tobago national record of 43.68 seconds to win silver in the men's 400m at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Belgium.

Richards, known as "The Dream", surged into an early lead from lane eight but was overtaken in the final 50 metres by Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi.

Kebinatshipi won in a Diamond League and Botswana national record of 43.40 seconds. American Jacory Patterson took bronze in a personal best of 43.78.

"My best race of the season"

"For the third year in a row I've managed to break the national record," Richards said. "Today was my best race of the season. I've been patient. I've been working hard. I've been praying and I took it all today."

"I always want to win, but today I settled for second place and the national record," he added.

The time moved Richards to third on the 2026 world performance list, behind Nigeria's Samuel Ogazi on 43.38 and Kebinatshipi on 43.40.

Winner eyes world lead

Kebinatshipi said taking home the Diamond League trophy after an unbeaten season stood out most.

"I hope to finish this season as the world leader, and for that I will need to find 0.02 seconds next week at the World Ultimate Championships in Budapest," he said.

He said he would focus on improving his back straight and on not being too relaxed in the first part of the race.

Richards' run continued a strong period for Trinidad and Tobago in the event, with the national record now lowered in three successive seasons.