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Nelson Throws Third Longest Indoor Throw of All-Time in Shot Put
Volunteer assistant on world record pace

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Virginia’s volunteer assistant track and field coach, Adam Nelson, the most decorated shot putter in World Outdoor Championships history continued a streak of amazing performances to win the Visa men’s shot put Friday night in front of 4,519 screaming fans at the 2008 Tyson Invitational.

“It meant so much [to win] with my family here,” Nelson said. ”They are from a little town called Turner, Arkansas. There are about 25 of them here. I started three weeks ago with some unexpected [strong] throwing. I’m in the best shape I have ever been in. I could have thrown a lot farther. We have the best shot putters in the word [in the United States]. It’s pretty tough. The indoor season this year is great preparation for the outdoor season, because it’s all about the Olympics this year.”

The fourth stop of the 2008 USA Track & Field Visa Championship Series, the Tyson Invitational will be televised on February 17 from 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.

Nelson’s world-leading throw of 22.40 meters/73 feet 6 inches in the Visa men’s shot put is the third-best performance of all time in the shot, and he offered it up in front of the second-largest crowd in meet history at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville. For his efforts, the four-time World Outdoor medalist was named the Team USA Athlete of the Meet, presented by Visa.

It was the second straight meet record and personal-best performance for Nelson, who threw 22.07/72-5 at the 101st Millrose Games on February 1. Reining World Indoor and Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa took runner-up honors Friday night with his heave of 21.14m/69-4.25 and 2004 World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell was third with 20.50m/67-3.25.

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