GST Miami was one for the ages, with the atmosphere at the Ansin Sports Complex being absolutely emphatic. But it was a Trinidadian who impressed everyone among the dozens of big names. With a world-leading 19.86-second run, he didn’t just take home the 200m title, he scorched the tracks. But he wasn’t satisfied just yet, as the very next day he blazed to a second-place finish in the 400m with a time of 44.32 seconds to take home the $100,000 payday. But it wasn’t just about the money. And nobody knew that better than another track legend.

The man in question is none other than Jereem Richards. And at his greatest moment, it was fellow speedster Justin Gatlin who was the most hyped about this. But why not? After all, the Grand Slam Track event, dreamed up by track legend Michael Johnson, transformed Miramar into a high-stakes showdown for the world’s best sprinters, all battling for some serious cash.

The Ansin Sports Complex, packed with 5,000 fans, absolutely erupted as Richards barely edged out the Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando by a hair-raising 0.002 seconds in the 200m, both hitting 19.86. In the 400m, American Jacory Patterson stole the spotlight with a blazing 43.98, a world-leading time, but Richards’ 44.32 still held strong for second.

His 12 points from the 200m win and 8 from the 400m runner-up finish easily outscored Patterson (15 points) and Ogando (12 points), making him the undeniable Long Sprints champion. In a sport where big payouts are super rare, that $100,000 was a golden ticket! Gatlin, absolutely buzzing with excitement, gushed, “Jereem handling business, dawg! He went out there and dropped 19.8 with the world lead and ran a 44.0 in that 400 to come away with the 100 K. He was super excited, bro. I’m happy for him, man.”

His words, shared in a quick YouTube Short, perfectly captured the immense pride felt across Trinidad and Tobago and the entire track community. Gatlin, a seasoned pro who knows exactly how tough this sport is, saw Richards not just as a rival but as a brother in arms, making that victory even sweeter. Gatlin then dished out a hilarious story from Richards’ chat with Michael Johnson, really showing off Jereem’s humor and big heart.

“He’s over there telling Michael Johnson, ‘100K, I’m driving home a Lambo!’” Gatlin said with a laugh. “But then he said, ‘No, no. I’m not gonna buy a Lambo. I am a responsible family man. I got to take care of my family, but after I take care of my family, I’m getting that Lambo!” But how does this win fit into Richards’ incredible career?

The warrior inside Richardson drives him to lead

Richards, a 2017 World Championships 200m bronze medalist and 2022 World Indoor 400m champion, has been a shining star for Trinidad and Tobago. His 19.86 in Miami was just a blink-and-you-miss-it 0.06 seconds off his personal best of 19.80 from 2022, and his 44.32 in the 400m highlighted his incredible versatility—get this, only eight guys in history have ever managed to run under 20 seconds in the 200m and under 44 seconds in the 400m!

After fighting off illness at the GST stop in Kingston back in April (where he clocked 20.81 in the 200m and 45.35 in the 400m), he came roaring back in Miami, stating confidently, “This is the shape I am in right now, not what I was in Kingston.” With GST stops in Philadelphia (May 30-June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27-29) offering even more chances at that sweet $100,000 prize, Richards is definitely on a roll!

That $100,000 isn’t just about getting a fancy car for Richards; it’s all about building a lasting legacy for his daughter and the rest of his family. In a chat after the race with Omiliasports, he stressed that he’s putting that money into smart, long-term investments—a different tune from the playful Lambo talk! “I run for myself, for my family, for my country,” Richards has said.

It is a motto that connects with fans who see him as a hero, way beyond just the track. From his humble beginnings in Point Fortin, Trinidad, to smashing a national record of 43.78 in the 400m at the 2024 Paris Olympics (where he finished a solid fourth), Richards has never backed down from a challenge. “Once I’m healthy, they’re not beating me,” he told reporters in Miami, his confidence just electric.