Okoye's golden possibilities (From Epsom Guardian)

Okoye's golden possibilities

2:50pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in Olympics By Graham Moody, Sports Reporter

Lawrence Okoye proved he is a genuine contender for Olympic gold this summer as he threw the fourth longest throw in the world this year last Saturday – setting a new British record in the process.

The 20-year-old Croydon Harrier from Waddon smashed his own previous British best by 61cm as he launched his discus 68.24m at the Werfertage championships in Halle, Germany.

Okoye, who finished the competition in third behind Robert Harting, 70.31m, and Piotr Malachowski, 68.94m, is the only British discus thrower to attain the Olympic A or B standards this year.

Less than a day later, Okoye was in action again, this time at the Loughborough International at Loughborough University, and finished top of the pile with a 65.60m throw.

Fellow Harrier Martyn Rooney was also competing but only took part in the 400m relay and not the individual 400m race.

He anchored Loughborough to a first place finish in three minutes, 4.20 seconds, ahead of the England senior team who were second.