Early in his career as a hammer thrower, Janie Casana Boyd Learn simple but important lessons from your coach, Greg Watson.
The power equation, he told her, is to work over time.
Kassanavoid keeps this physics lesson in mind every time he competes in his sport of choice. As legend has it, Thousands of years ago in Ireland, Celtic warriors grabbed wheels and threw them into the air. Over the centuries, hammer throw has evolved into the Olympic sport it is today. It may not be as recognizable as other athletics sports like the 100m dash, for example, but it’s still amazing for the proficiency required to perform at the top. Level: Strength, precision, speed, and power are as important today in the sport as they were in early folklore iterations.
To perform at its best, the Casana Void must move quickly, accurately, and forcefully to transfer energy from body movements to the hammer-weighted ball, giving it the power to travel hundreds of feet. yeah. First, she takes a deep breath and then steps her foot into her ring. She reels in and swings a heavy ball (those used in competition weigh about 9 pounds) on a long wire several times. She then spins round and round to increase her speed and releases her grip at just the right moment to let it sail.Her longest personal best throw is 78 metersmore than three-quarters of the length of the football field (and the furthest one-sixth) throw event always).
Watson’s remarks about power had another meaning. For Casana Boyd, the meaning became clearer as she progressed as an athlete. The more work she puts in each day, week, year, the greater her payoff. As time goes on, it all comes together in a moment when she can really shine.
But the road to get there was not smooth. In college, she dealt with multiple injuries and surgeries that hampered her progress, and years later, when things took a turn for the better, Casana Boyd said she missed the Olympic team by just two inches at the 2021 US Olympic track and field trials. Did. However, in 2022, after eight years of dedication, Kassanavoid clearly has her powers.
Casana Boyd won the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon this summer bronzeIn doing so, she is believed to be the first Native American woman to win a medal at the prestigious event. NBCSports report.she continued win NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association) Championship in Bahamas in August.
“All I wanted was to come back completely strong and different and be one of those athletes who keep breaking down barriers,” Kassanavoid tells SELF. I want to make history.”
As the National Native American Heritage Month concludes this week, Casana Boyd continues to work hard to make history, not just in athletics, but on a wider level. that too. And she uses her own platform on her social media, where she has more than 575,000 followers as her @.nesrow heavy rock Help spread that message on TikTok.by posting she success Medal ceremonies and podium toppings (including) in addition to the less glamorous parts of the sport wipeout or 2), she prides herself on introspecting what it takes to come out on top.and she nodded at her culture and heritageshe hopes the next generation of athletes can envision themselves there too.
legacy of strength
Kassanavoid grew up in the small town of Lawson, Missouri, with three older (and athletic) siblings. From her early childhood, she dabbled in everything from cheerleading and gymnastics to soccer and softball.
