Shot Putter Causes Controversial Riffs
One would think that Christian Cantwell's winning shot put in the men's competition would make him happy, but then you'd be thinking wrong. He uttered a rather creative string of obscenities more suited to those who have failed dismally. He, who had made a toss of 70 feet and 7 inches was displeased and even furious at the result. Apparently, despite having traveled for almost 30 hours straight from Columbia to Boston, he had still hoped to break the world indoor record (74-3) in the indoor track and field championship held yesterday, February 23, 2008, as he had come quite close to beating it in previous meets.
This is not to say he didn't churn out his best though. The shot put measured 125 mm in diameter, a size Cantwell was quite uncomfortable with, being used to the slightly bigger 128 mm. The size difference was apparent, with the way the shot slipped out of his grip and bending back his index and pinky fingers rather painfully upon release. As a matter of fact, Cantwell had passed on his final throw due to pain and discomfort, and displaying a set of swollen knuckles on his right hand to prove it.
Cantwell's rather angry, self-deprecating behavior was probably due to falling short of his own expectations. Cantwell had saved his best shot to beat second-place Reese Hoffa (with 70 ft and 2 ½) inches. However, this is just the beginning of conflict.
A week prior to the competition, Cantwell had asked Hoffa (incidentally the reigning world indoor and outdoor champion) to bring his 128 mm shot to the nationals, wherein Hoffa refused as it was within his right to not offer help to a competitor.
Cantwell had mentioned that he personally thought that Reese was an nice guy, though he was considerably upset with his refusal to bring a 128 shot. Additionally, he asserted that he'd rather have third-placer Adam Nelson to have made the team for the world championships rather than Reese. He also claimed to call Reese a hypocrite for not helping him just because he's a competitor.
Of course, stories have more sides than one, and Reese was genuinely bewildered to hear what Cantwell had to say about him. Reese personally didn't think of it as a big deal, and that all things considered, Cantwell could've easily bought his own shot and brought it instead of relying on others. He didn't want to be ordered around by Cantwell and carry his shots for him. He refused to be Cantwell's “mule” as he succinctly puts it, there to do his biddings and carry his shots.
Moreover, Reese added that Cantwell is already very good with the shot, so giving him a willing advantage is just ridiculous. In a game where winner takes all in making a team, you have to pull out all the stops and not give your rivals an inch, or in Reese's case, 3 cm. Reese throws a 137 shot and would gladly let Cantwell borrow it if he preferred those dimensions himself, but as it stands, he was asking Reese to carry a separate shot to accommodate him.
It turns out that Cantwell also texted Nelson to bring his 128, though Nelson received it too late. However, he mentioned that even if he did get the message on time, he still wouldn't bring two shot puts as he believes it's up to the performer to bring his own implements. There's a lines that can't be crossed in competitions and for Nelson, carrying an extra 16 pounds in his luggage to help out a competitor is one such line.
The next world championships will be held next month in Valencia, Spain, and Cantwell got lucky when the organizers were extra flexible with the allowable shot putters-- which included steel, iron or brass, so Cantwell can use the 128 mm steel shot he normally uses on outdoor competitions. With the right shot in hand, he can again gun for a world record.
