Curtis Thompson (javelin thrower)

Curtis Thompson (born February 8, 1996) is an American athlete who throws the javelin.[1]

Curtis Thompson
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 (age 28)
Sport
SportAthletics
Eventjavelin
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)Javelin: 87.70 (East Stroudsburg, 2022)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Santiago Javelin

Career

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Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in Florence Township, New Jersey, Thompson is a 2014 graduate of Florence Township Memorial High School.[2] Thompson won the NCAA title for Mississippi State University in 2016, and he also won the 2018 USATF Championship. He has won three national javelin titles in his career.[3]

At the 2020 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) held in Eugene, Oregon, on June 21, 2021, Thompson captured the javelin title with a top throw of 82.78 meters to beat runner-up Michael Shuey, whose top throw was 79.24. Riley Dolezal finished third with a throw of 77.07. Thompson individually recorded the four best throws of the competition. Representing his country at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Thompson qualified for the final.[4]

He was selected for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023.[5] He won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in November 2023.[6]

In August 2024, Thompson threw a 76.79 at the 2024 Summer Olympics qualifications, placing him at 13th place and failing to qualify for the finals.[7]

Personal life

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His parents are Scott and Karen Thompson. He has one brother, Christopher, who was a collegiate basketball player. Thompson's athletic genes carry through the family as he has several aunts, uncles, and cousins who played badminton for the Jamaican national team.

References

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  1. ^ "Curtis THOMPSON | Profile". worldathletics.org.
  2. ^ Curtis Thompson, United States national track and field team. Accessed November 16, 2021. "Birthplace: Trenton, N.J. Hometown: Florence, N.J. High School: Florence Township Memorial High School (Florence, N.J.) ‘14"
  3. ^ Lambert, Jim. "Thompson Wins Javelin, Spot On Olympic Team Virtual Lock". NJ MileSplit.
  4. ^ "The Latest: Thompson earns the javelin title at trials". Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  5. ^ Gault, Jonathan (August 7, 2023). "USATF Announces 2023 World Championship Roster". letsrun.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "MATTHEW LUDWIG, RACHEL MCCOY AND CURTIS THOMPSON GRAB GOLD, GIVING AMERICANS 25 MEDALS AT PAN AMERICAN GAMES". Runnerspace. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "HIGHLIGHT: Curtis Thompson falls short in javelin qualification".
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