C. J. Hunter facts for kids
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| Full name | Cottrell James Hunter III | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | December 14, 1968 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Died | November 28, 2021 (aged 52) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cottrell James Hunter III (born December 14, 1968 – died November 28, 2021) was an American shot putter and coach. He was a top athlete who won the World Champion title in 1999.
C. J. Hunter was known for his powerful throws in the shot put event. He achieved his personal best throw of 21.87 meters (71 feet, 9 inches) in 2000. This impressive throw earned him second place at the US Olympic Trials. He also competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he finished seventh.
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Becoming a Shot Putter
C. J. Hunter was a large and strong athlete, standing 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing around 330 pounds. He began his journey in sports by trying out for the basketball team at Franklin D. Roosevelt Senior High School. When he didn't make the basketball team, he decided to try throwing the shot put instead.
College Athletics
Hunter became a very successful shot putter at Penn State University. He was named an All-American three times, which means he was recognized as one of the best college athletes in the country. He still holds the outdoor and indoor shot put records at Penn State. His outdoor record is 19.93 meters (65 feet, 5 inches), and his indoor record is 19.62 meters (64 feet, 4½ inches). In 1991, he earned his college degree in political science.
Major Achievements
C. J. Hunter won several important medals during his career. He earned a gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata. This competition brings together athletes from across the Americas.
World Championships
Hunter also had great success at the World Championships. He won a bronze medal in 1997 in Athens, showing his skill on the world stage. Two years later, in 1999, he achieved his biggest victory by winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Sevilla. This made him the world champion in shot put.
Later Life
After his competitive career, C. J. Hunter continued to be involved in athletics as a coach. He lived in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with his son. C. J. Hunter passed away on November 28, 2021, at the age of 52.
See also
- List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences
