Peters wins javelin for 2nd-ever world gold for Grenada

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — As a kid, Grenian javelin thrower Anderson Peters would hurl sticks at mangoes and apples to get m to fall to ground.

He h best arm of all his friends. He showed it off on an even bigger st.

Peters won javelin throw Sunday night for his country’s second-ever gold medal at world championships. He joins ranks of sprinter Kirani James, sprinter who captured 400-meter title in 2011. Peters remembers being glued to his television that day — and being inspired.

“That was an unbelievable moment for our whole country,” Peters said. “If he can do it, it’s possible for everybody to have a chance to become a world champion.”

A junior at Mississippi State, Peters’ winning throw was 86.89 meters as he ded ar title to NCAA championships crown he won in June and Pan-Am Games win in August. Magnus Kirt of Estonia was second (86.21) and Johannes Vetter of Germany was third (85.37).

“re are words to explain being a world champion,” Peters said. “I’m grateful for chance.”

Growing up, he h two ambitions — be a famous cricket player or next Usain Bolt.

But javelin became his calling when on his first try at an event in primary school he broke school record. All those days of throwing rocks and sticks at fruit in trees in Grena keeps paying off.

“We used to have races and say, ‘Let’s see who could pick most,’” Peters said. “I was pretty good.”

Peters has to hurry back to school — he has two big tests this week.

Any chance his gold medal might help him buy some extra time with his professors?

“That’s t going to help,” Peters said, laughing. “As a kid, I was thinking about becoming a world champion and an Olympic champion and having titles at same time.”

One down, one to go next summer at Tokyo Games.

EUGENE ON DECK

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown was in stium to present men’s 4x100 relay medals.

In two years, revated Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon , will be site of worlds. It marks first time championships are heing to U.S.

“We’re absolutely hored,” Brown said. “It’s amazing it’s going to be in heart of track and field territory — Eugene, Oregon. We’re excited to see everyone re.”

EMPTY STEP

Three steps on podium, but only two teams. A chaotic changeover in women’s 4x400 relay led to more than an hour of uncertainty.

Jamaica finished third, n was disqualified, n reinstated. After all that, Jamaican squ didn’t turn up for its medal ceremony, leaving gold medalists from U.S. and second-placed Poland to take a lopsided podium photo.

At issue was wher Jamaica h gained an vant by t lining up correctly for a changeover. Fourth-placed Britain argued Jamaicans h benefited, but that was later overturned on an appeal by Jamaica.

CENTROWITZ & SALAZAR

American distance runner Matw Centrowitz said leaving Alberto Salazar’s training group last season h thing to do with an investigation and more to do with needing a change.

Salazar was kicked out of world championships last week after being handed a four-year ban in a case long pursued by U.S. Anti-Doping ncy. Salazar les Nike Oregon Project, which Centrowitz joined after 2012 London Games

“Alberto never once offered me anything that I was uncomfortable taking or me any those decisions you may be reing about,” said Centrowitz, who finished eighth in 1,500 meters and more than 3 seconds behind winner Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya. “I h idea that any of this was going on when I was with group.

“That h thing to do with my decision. ... I felt like I needed some change, something fresh, something new.”

2016 Olympic gold medalist is w running for Bowerman Track Club.

COUNCIL

IAAF elected six new members to its athletes’ commission: French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, New Zealand shot putter Valerie ams, U.S. distance runner Bernard Lagat, Belgian 400-meter runner Kevin Borlee, Greek pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi, and Jamaican middle-distance runner Aisha Praught-Leer.

Hall of Famer Carl Lewis said on his Twitter account that he applied to be a member of IAAF athletes’ commission.

“Let’s see if y want someone speaking to power about issues that really affects athletes, gets in,” Lewis wrote. “Stay tuned.”