Skip to main content

Michelle Carter wins first ever U.S. women’s shot put gold medal

Michelle Carter became the first American woman ever to win gold in the shot put.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Michelle Carter became the first American woman ever to win gold in the shot put, finishing on top of the event Friday at the Rio Games.

Carter threw 20.63m (67 feet, 8.25 inches) to earn the title, besting New Zealand’s Valerie Adams for the gold on her final throw of the night. She is the first American woman to even medal in the event, dating to 1960, when Earlene Brown won a bronze medal.

Carter is the daughter of 1984 Olympic shot put silver medalist Michael Carter, who is also a three-time Super Bowl champion as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. She is a four-time national champion, and also won a collegiate title in the event at the University of Texas-Austin.

Adams, who won silver, is the sister of NBA center Steven Adams.

Hungary’s Anita Marton won bronze.