Jubilant Jereem Richards Sets Trinidad and Tobago Record for Diamond League Silver

Jereem "The Dream" Richards celebrated a national record and a silver medal after producing the race of his life at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

Running in lane eight, the Trinidad and Tobago star took the lead early and remained ahead into the home straight. With about 50 meters left, Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi surged past him to win in 43.40 seconds, a Diamond League and national record. Richards held off American Jacory Patterson, who took bronze in a personal-best 43.78. Another American, Chris Bailey, finished fourth in 43.97, the fastest one-lap time of his career.

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For the third year in a row I've managed to break the national record. 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. The conditions were okay, because it wasn't too cold. I always want to win, but today I settled for second place and the national record.

Richards reacted with delight when the scoreboard showed 43.68. He hugged Kebinatshipi, ran off celebrating and then lay on the track to absorb the moment. "For the third year in a row I've managed to break the national record," Richards said after the race. "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. The conditions were okay, because it wasn't too cold. I always want to win, but today I settled for second place and the national record."

Kebinatshipi said both the victory and the time felt incredible, but he valued taking home the Wanda Diamond League Trophy most. After remaining unbeaten all season, he said he felt he deserved the reward and thanked the crowd for its energy.

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Both the win and the time are incredible, but taking home the Wanda Diamond League Trophy stands out the most. After staying undefeated all season, I feel like I really deserve this reward. I would like to thank the crowd for the amazing energy. I felt pushed all throughout.

He also set his sights on becoming the world leader at the World Ultimate Championships in Budapest next week. He needs to cut 0.02 seconds from his time, with improving his back straight his main focus.

Richards' mark placed him third on the 2026 world performance list, behind Nigeria's Samuel Ogazi at 43.38 and Kebinatshipi at 43.40. Richards first broke Trinidad and Tobago's outdoor 400-meter record in 2024, then improved it to 43.72 while winning silver behind Kebinatshipi at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

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I hope to finish this season as the world leader.