Rio 2016: Michelle Carter Stuns Valerie Adams to Claim Shot Put Gold

Michelle Carter saved her best for last, claiming the gold medal and breaking the American record on her final throw.

Michelle Carter won the shot put on Friday with a throw of 20.63 meters (68 feet, 8 1/4 inches), the first gold by the U.S. in the history of the event.

Michael Carter also spent nine seasons in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers, playing a key part on three Super Bowl-winning teams.

It has been a long time since an American woman has won a medal in shot put – 1960 to be exact, when Earlene Brown won bronze in Rome. Adams had won the event in 2008 and 2012, and had not lost since 2010. “I think now, it’s like, ‘You know what?”

Carter, the daughter of former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman and 1984 shot put silver medalist Michael Carter, finished fifth in the shot put four years ago in London and 15th in Beijing in 2008. Carter then dug deep for a heave of 65-0 ½ to move into the lead, but Adams got it back with a throw of 67 feet.

Raven Saunders of Team USA placed fifth, coming through with a personal best on her final throw of 63-6 after four straight fouls.

Carter improved to 65-2 ¼ on her fourth attempt.

Adams is also part of an athletic family.

Adams’ brother, Steven Adams, is a seven-foot center for the Oklahoma City Thunder.