American discus thrower Laulauga Tausaga-Collins has just made history after becoming the first U.S. athlete to win the women’s discus competition at the World Championships.
The Hawaii native took home gold at the competition in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday and won the competition with an impressive throw of 69.49 meters. The throw beat her personal best by close to four meters, making her the first in the country to win the world championship gold in women’s discus.
“I can’t tell you what it means right now because I still can’t believe it,” Tausaga-Collins told USA Network. “I have all the feels and no words. It’s amazing!”
After the significant feat, Tausaga-Collins thanked her fans via social media and reposted several notes of adoration.
Meanwhile, another U.S. athlete, Valarie Allman, claimed silver with a fourth-round 69.23m throw. China’s Feng Bin clinched the bronze.
Allman stole the show with an opening throw of 68.57m and 69.23m three throws later.
Tausaga-Collins, 25, received a first-round foul before throwing a lackluster 52.28m in the second round.
However, she came back with roaring glory after throwing 65.56m, 68.36m and then the remarkable 69.49m.
“I wanted to be the champion tonight, it is not a secret,” Allman told Reuters. “I have been training very hard, putting everything in for the victory. It’s tough when you are in a good form and you cannot reach the gold medal.”
She continued: “But I feel so proud of being on the podium and a one-two for USA is also so special, to stand together with Laulauga.”
Another athlete taking home gold is Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who secured her third 1,500m world championship gold. She now becomes the first woman to accomplish the feat.
The adorned Kenyan also won big with an Olympic gold medal in 2016 and 2022, in addition to world championship gold medal victory in 2017 and 2022.
