Michelle Carter, a University of Texas graduate and 2006 National Collegiate Champion that resides in Ovilla, Texas, made Olympic history on August 12. Not only is she the first American to win gold in her category but by following in her dad’s footsteps they are the first American daughter, father pair to win Olympic medals.
The 30-year-old, competing in her third Olympic games, wasted no time going online last night via Facebook to thank everyone who prayed for her along the way and poured positivity into her life.
Carter’s final throw was the winner clocking in at 20.63 meters, leading her to victory over the projected favorite, New Zealand’s Valerie Adams whose throw measured 20.42. Adams’ was aiming for a third consecutive gold medal.
Her on the field performance not only is history making, but the fact her father Michael won a Silver medal in the 1984 Olympics for the same event makes the duo Team USA’s first father-daughter combination to medal at the Games.
NPR reported: “I’m numb right now,” said Michael, who’s both her first coach and coached her for Rio, Carter told IAAF.org.
Watch her incredible final throw here.
