Trenton’s own Athing Mu can now add an Olympic gold medal to her already crowded trophy room.
The 19-year-old took home gold in the women’s 800 meters, finishing with a time of 1:55.21 to set a new American record. Mu beat out Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson (1:55.88) and fellow American Raevyn Rogers, who came in third with a time of 1:56.81.
Mu led the entire race after winning all three qualifying races with ease, internalizing the “Medal Mentality” mantra that she coined in Tokyo.
Mu became the second American to win a track and field gold medal so far at the Tokyo Olympics, and is just the second American woman ever to win the 800 meter event, joining Madeline Manning-Mims, who won it back in 1968.
The Trenton, New Jersey native is no stranger to breaking records like she did in Tokyo. Just two years ago, she broke the American women’s record in the 600 meter event at the 2019 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, and set the world under-20 record in the indoor 800 meters earlier this year with a time of 1:58.40, a mark she bested herself at the Olympics.
So far in 2021, Mu hasn’t lost a race, whether it be at the Olympics, the Olympic trials, or the NCAA finals.
Mu graduated from Trenton Central High School before moving on to Texas A&M, where she has broken multiple running records. Before departing for Tokyo, a banner of Mu was hung at Trenton City Hall.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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