Croydon’s Lawrence Okoye disappointed with discus final

Lawrence Okoye in the discus final Pic: teamgb.com

Lawrence Okoye was knocked out of the Olympic discus final on August 7, after finishing in last place.

The 20-year-old athlete from Croydon who threw over 65 metres in qualifying, only managed 61.03m in a competition that saw the two-time world champion, Germany’s Robert Harting clinch gold with a winning throw of 68.27m.

Shortly after the event, Okoye tweeted: “All I can say is that I’m shock. I’m in a horrible mood now but will brighten up eventually.”

However, heading over to Hyde Park to join in on the Olympics festivities earlier today, he tweeted: “Lightened up now, gonna try and enjoy the rest of the Olympic festivities.”

Although the former junior rugby player was disappointed in losing out on winning a medal, he’s not stuck for choices when it comes to career moves. He has a deferred place to study law at St Peter’s College, Oxford and he gave up a career in rugby union to focus on athletics.

Okoye, who attended Whitgift School in South Croydon, only took up the discus 18 months ago and is currently the British record holder in the event.

He won gold at the 2011 European Athletics Under 23 Championships in July last year.

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