Rajindra Campbell made history at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, becoming the first Jamaican man to win an Olympic medal in a throwing event. The 28-year-old national record holder accomplished this feat in the Men’s shot put final, despite producing only two legal throws.
The excitement began at the Stade de France with Campbell launching a solid 20.00m throw in the first round. He followed it up with an impressive 22.15m in the second round, propelling him into second place behind the American World record holder and two-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, who was leading with a throw of 22.69m.
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In rainy conditions, Campbell held onto the silver medal position until the sixth round when American Joe Kovacs matched his 22.15m throw. Kovacs moved into second place because his second-best throw of 21.71m was better than Campbell’s.
In the final round, Campbell had a throw that could have reclaimed the silver, but it was unfortunately marked as his fourth foul in a row. Despite this, he ended the competition with a bronze medal, standing proudly behind the two Americans. Crouser secured his victory with a season’s best throw of 22.90m.
Campbell’s achievement is a monumental moment for Jamaican athletics, showing that the nation’s prowess extends beyond the track and into the field events. His bronze medal in the shot put is not just a personal victory but a historic milestone for Jamaica on the global stage.
