Nafy Thiam continues to deliver impressive performances in the United States. This Friday, at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida, the 18-year-old Belgian shot putter improved her best mark by 48 centimeters with a throw of 17.30 meters.
Not only is this a new Belgian U20 record, but it is also the best Belgian performance of all categories outdoors! Jolien Boumkwo, the national record holder, had previously thrown 17.29 meters, just one centimeter less than Nafy Thiam.
In indoor competitions, Boumkwo still holds the national record with a throw of 17.87 meters achieved on February 19, 2023, in Gand, which is the absolute best mark.
On March 26, Nafy Thiam, representing RFCL, set a new junior Belgian record with a throw of 16.82 meters in Tallahassee. She then participated in two other competitions with less successful results (15.92 m and 15.87 m).
Coached by Luke Bryant at Florida State University (FSU), the athlete passed Jolien Boumkwo to become the number one Belgian outdoors. Thiam’s ascent reached a new milestone on Friday as she crossed the 17-meter threshold for the first time.
Thiam stated, “My goal this year is to throw 18 meters,” in an interview with the specialized Atletieknieuws website. “At the U20 World Championships in the summer, I will aim for the podium. I know I am capable, and my coaches believe in me too.“
