Where in the World: Florence grad Thompson wins World javelin bronze

Curtis Thompson just made history.

In the early morning hours on the east coast Thursday, the 2014 Florence High School graduate became just the second World Athletics Championships javelin medalist in United States history. In Tokyo, Thompson threw 86.67 meters (284-feet, 4-inches) on his first of six throws of the final round, to take the bronze medal.

That initial throw was the best throw among the 12 finalists. Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, took over the lead in the second round and extended his lead with a throw of 88.13 in the fourth round. Anderson Peters, of Granada, was second with a throw of 87.38. The two-time world champion is a former teammate of Thompson at Mississippi State University.

Thompson, who won his fifth United States cham