As soon as Che Richards gets the opportunity, he will return home to Trinidad and Tobago. The long jumper has graduated with an LLB Hons degree from the University of Edinburgh, but is still in Scotland because of the closure of T&T's borders in response to the Covid-19 global pandemic.
When Richards
gets the go-ahead, he will touch down at Piarco International Airport a proud graduate, but without an important statistic attached to his name.
"My goal," Richards told the Express, "was to return to Trinidad with an eight-metre jump under my belt, but it just hasn't happened yet. I'm sure it will. I think some prolonged Trini weather and fewer injuries are the missing components."
Richards jumped a personal best 7.80 metres to win the T&T national title in 2017. Joining the "Eight-Metre Club" remains a priority for the 24-year-old athlete.
Just three T&T jumpers have membership. Andwuelle Wright is "club president" with a national record leap of 8.25m. Wendell Williams, coach of Richards and Wright, is next on the all-time T&T performance list at 8.14. The third member of the club is the late LeJuan Simon at 8.01. Cleavon Dillon gets a notable mention with a wind-assisted 8.09m jump.
Richards, who studied at Edinburgh on an Open National Scholarship, has fond memories of Scotland.
"A big high point will definitely be the Scotts Squad, my training group that embraced me and my singing. John and Anne Scott have the best training group in Scotland--I'm biased here--and it goes beyond just track and field. I made a family and I'm grateful to each member of the training group for embracing me and creating a space for me to compete and grow and work. Cheers troupers.
"My time in Edinburgh has definitely been great, a satisfying experience. Throughout the four years, I was reminded why this was the best option for me. From competing around the United Kingdom, travelling to a few European countries with friends every year, to experiencing the four seasons in its fullest."
Richards is a very grateful young man.
"I have so many people to thank. First, God for blessing me with the opportunity to study here on a National Open Scholarship, mum Chenelle Jones-Baptiste and dad Shawn Richards and my grandparents. Granny always worried if I had on enough clothes every time she called. My coaches back home, Wendell Williams and his wife aunty Anja, and Ms Clarieta George.
"My other family members, my sister and aunty for checking up on me even when I was too busy to talk. They never really got the time difference. My friends, both home and the ones I made here, for holding me down."
Richards said that a chance meeting in England forged a friendship of great value.
"I met Chinyere Herbert in Gatwick Airport on my way to Edinburgh for the first time. She was also a National Open Scholarship winner, from St Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain. Randomly meeting in Gatwick will always be a blessing because we helped each other so much throughout the years. It's a Trini friendship we both needed while navigating life at University of Edinburgh.
"To the family who helped both of us too; the Dalrymples. They came for us in the airport, and we spent four Christmases with them. They helped me miss home a little less while at university."
The list of benefactors continued.
"Aunty Alicia, so many teachers from CIC gave me parting gifts and advice. Mr Castillo, despite the fact that he wasn't my teacher, he helped me raise funds so that I would get what I needed before flying off to Edinburgh. I will forever be grateful. To the teachers I remained in contact with and who check in on me via social media or email, thank you.
"Mr Roach," Richards continued, "has been my adviser and another blessing to me. From advice regarding law, to life, to assisting me wherever he can, I can't say thank you enough."
Richards is hoping to be back in T&T soon.
"Training right now is just keeping fit and enjoying a more relaxed regime until I'm able to head home and start off-season in September. Nevertheless, it's been good. It gives me something to do every day besides binge watching Netflix, and I'll definitely be happy I've done something when off-season starts."
