July 16, 2003
SALAMANCA, Spain - NCAA runner-up and Big 12 Champion Christian Cantwell (Eldon, Mo.) won his first shot put competition in his month-long professional career on Tuesday at the 31st Gran Premio "Diputacion de Salamanca". The meet, held in Salamanca, Spain, was nearly cancelled due to torrential rain.
Cantwell, a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, won the event with his personal best throw of 70 feet, 11? inches (21.62m). Finishing second was American Adam Nelson who prevented Cantwell from making the IAAF World Championships by placing fourth in June's USATF Championships after throwing an inch-and-a-half farther than the former Tiger. Behind Nelson was World Indoor Champion, Spaniard Manuel Martinez.
Cantwell and Nelson were neck-and-neck after the first three throws. Nelson had a three inch (8 cm) lead at the halfway point. On his fourth throw, Cantwell hit his mark and did not look back as Nelson fouled on his final three throws. All three of Cantwell's legal throws were over 68 feet, 11 inches.
Despite not qualifying for the world championships, Cantwell is learning how to compete on the world stage in his first summer as a professional. His first year out of college will culminate in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento. Cantwell currently has the year's fourth longest throw in the world and is ranked ninth in the world by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). The IAAF is the governing body of international track and field. If Cantwell cracks the top eight, he will qualify for the IAAF Grand Prix final. The Grand Prix is a world tour of track meets that showcase the best athletes of the year. The final of the Grand Prix will be held in September.
31st Gran Premio "Diputacion de Salamanca" - SALAMANCA, SpainSHOT PUT Results
1. Christian Cantwell (USA) 70' 11?" (21.62m) 2. Adam Nelson (USA) 69' 2?" (21.10m) 3. Manuel Martinez (Spain) 67' 4" (20.52m) 4. Janus Roberts (Russia) 63' 7?" (19.40m) 5. Reese Hoffa (USA) 63' 5?" (19.34m)
IAAF World Rankings (rankings can be found at iaaf.org)
Rk Athlete BY Country 1. Yuriy BILONOG 74 UKR 2. Kevin TOTH 67 USA 3. Adam NELSON 75 USA 3. Manuel MART?NEZ 74 ESP 5. Justin ANLEZARK 77 AUS 6. John GODINA 72 USA 7. Joachim OLSEN 77 DEN 8. Milan HABOR?K 73 SVK 9. Christian Cantwell 80 USA 10. Carl MYERSCOUGH 79 GBR BY = Birth Year
2003 Top Throws Athlete Mark Kevin Toth (USA) 22.67m At Lawrence, Kan. (Kansas Relays)
Carl Myerscough (GBR) 21.92m At Sacramento, Calif. (NCAA)
Yuriy Bilonog (UKR) 21.81m At Kyiv
Christian Cantwell (USA) 21.62m At Salamanca, Spain