In his first meet since the Olympics, Curtis Thompson recorded the No. 1 javelin throw in the U.S. this year.
Thompson, a Florence High graduate, threw 251-7 on his second throw at the Yellow Jacket Invitational at George C. Griffin Track on Georgia Tech’s campus in Atlanta.
It was Thompson’s first meet since he threw 256-6 and placed 22nd in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Thompson placed second behind 2012 Olympic gold medalist and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, who threw world No. 2 277-10.
Thompson opened with a throw of 240-11 before hitting 251-7 on his second attempt and then finishing with 241-9 and 248-11.
The 251-7 is Thompson’s second-best season opener ever. He began last year with a 252-8 throw at the Falcon Classic in Montevallo, Ala.
Thompson, an NCAA champ, two-time U.S. champion, former Olympic Trials record holder and four-time BCSL Freedom Division winner, ranks 16th in U.S. history with his 271-11 throw at the 2016 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 