Kibwe Johnson is an Olympian!
Johnson, who is from San Francisco but trains at the National Throws Centre in Kamloops, won the hammer throw at the U.S. Olympic trials in Beaverton, Ore., on Thursday.
Johnson threw 245 feet, 11 inches (74.96 metres). The Olympic A standard is 255-11, a mark Johnson previously had surpassed.
Last year, Johnson became the first American since 2000 to beat 80 metres
Johnson celebrated after his final throw by laying down on the Olympic rings at the centre of the hammer field.
The event was held at Nike’s headquarters, about 110 miles north of where the rest of the Olympic trials will start today in Eugene.
Johnson, who has competed in the hammer at two world championships, will be competing in his first Olympics.
“I’ve been a starving hammer thrower for so long,” Johnson said. “It’s good to make it.”
