Josh Awotunde threw his arms up in the air when he saw his shot put land at Sunday's USATG Golden Games at Hilmee Lodge Stadium in Walnut, Calif.
The 25-year-old Awotunde, a 2013 graduate of Delsea High and an All-American during his days at the University of South Carolina, was celebrating the greatest throw of his life as he finally broke through the 70-feet barrier with a monster throw of 71-1.50! That shattered the New Jersey alumni record of 70-4.50 set in 2008 by Seton Hall Prep and Florida State University graduate Dorian Scott.
The 71-1.50 bomb by the 6-3, 300-pound Awotunde, who finished behind 2016 Olympian Darrell Hill, who threw 73-3.50, places him No. 6 in the World this year, and No. 26 all-time in U.S. history.
Awotunde, who had already met the qualifying standard for the U.S. Olympic Trials that will be held next month at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, smashed his previous PR of 69-11.75, which he threw to win the 2018 SEC Indoor Championship.