Laulauga Tausaga-Collins, originally from Hawaii, secured the gold medal in the women’s discus event at the 2023 World Athletic Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday. This is also the United States’ first ever world championship gold in the women’s discus event.
Representing the United States, Tausaga-Collins clinched victory with an impressive throw that covered a distance of 69.49 meters. This achievement shattered her previous personal record by a remarkable margin of more than four meters, claiming a gold medal in the world discus event on Tuesday. This achievement came at a time when her fellow American competitor and frontrunner, Valarie Allman, appeared to be confidently on course for the championship.
Tausaga-Collins, who had landed in the last position in the previous two world finals, entered the showdown with a personal best of 65.46 meters. Astonishingly, she unleashed a throw of 69.49 meters during her fifth attempt, followed by a jubilant dash into the audience to celebrate alongside her astonished supporters.
“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 her remarkable victory, Tausaga-Collins took to social media to express her gratitude to her supporters. She shared congratulatory and admiring messages on her Instagram Stories, acknowledging the encouragement she received.
In the same event, Valarie Allman, another American athlete, secured the silver medal by launching a throw of 69.23 meters in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Feng Bin of China earned the bronze medal.
“I wanted to be the champion tonight, it is not a secret,” Allman said, per 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. 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,” she said.
Congratulations, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins on your remarkable win!!!
XXX
Fharnell M.
