He pursued higher education at the University of Texas in Austin, TX, USA. During high school, he played American football and received numerous scholarship offers. However, he switched to athletics after observing the physical toll football took on players.

Career Highlights

In 2011, he made history by becoming the first Canadian to win a world championship medal in a field event. He was awarded the Jack W. Davies Trophy for overall athlete of the year, the F.N.A. Rowell Trophy for outstanding field athlete, and the Cal D. Bricker Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding performance.

Challenges and Injuries

An elbow injury affected his performance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Despite this setback, he continued to push forward with his career. His sporting philosophy is simple: "You gotta love what you do. I just want to keep throwing further."

Olympic Heartache

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he broke the national record in shot put but finished fourth, missing out on a medal by one centimetre. This near miss has been a source of motivation for him. He was later in line to receive the medal after Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus was banned for doping.

Training Challenges

Training in Canada posed unique challenges due to the cold climate. He often had to train outdoors in sub-zero temperatures and snow. "Outside there would be two feet of snow around the circle, and we'd be out there shovelling it and putting salt on it to melt everything," he said.

Friendship and Personal Life

He is good friends with Canadian 800m runner Gary Reed and was best man at his wedding in late 2010. Despite arriving from Europe just hours before the ceremony, he managed to make it on time thanks to a private plane arranged by a pilot friend.

Ambitions

Looking ahead, he aims to win a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. His dedication and resilience continue to drive him towards achieving this goal.

Hobbies and Interests

Outside of athletics, he enjoys boating and travelling. His former coach Derek Evely remains his hero and idol.

This athlete's journey is marked by significant achievements and challenges. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.