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Michael Kpomassy

Team USA’s Michael Kpomassy Finishes 11th at the Prestigious World Athletics U20 Championships Wednesday Night

8/5/2026 11:01:00 PM


**FINAL RESULTS**

EUGENE, Ore. – UTEP track and field's Michael Kpomassy, representing the United States of America in the shot put, recorded a throw of 18.85 meters, placing 11th overall at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Outdoor Championships (21st edition) at historic Hayward Field on Wednesday night.
 
The freshman phenom advanced to the finals earlier in the day with an 18.60-meter hurl, finishing eighth in Group B and 12th overall in the qualification round. Kpomassy fouled on his first two attempts in the final, but rebounded with an 18.85-meter throw, his second-best throw ever. 
 
"Michael's performance at the World U20 Championships was nothing short of outstanding. To compete against the best U20 shot put athletes in the world and finish 11th overall speaks volumes about his work ethic, character, and commitment to his craft," UTEP head coach Francesca Green said. "We are incredibly proud of the way he represented Team USA, The University of Texas at El Paso, and himself on one of the biggest stages in our sport. This experience is another important milestone in what we believe is an incredibly bright future, and we can't wait to welcome him back to campus and continue building on this success."
 
Kpomassy, a native of East Moline, Ill., finished ahead of Team USA teammate Omar Hussein (Arkansas State), who recorded an 18.54-meter throw and missed on qualifying. 
 
Team Brazil's Alessandro Borges won gold with a personal-best 20.35 meters. Team Korea's Si-hoon Park took silver with a 20.31-meter heave, and Team South Africa's Jaco Van Dyk grabbed bronze with a personal-best throw of 19.80 meters. Team Greece's Aristion Anastasios Papadopoulos, who entered the final as the No. 1 seed with a 19.82-meter toss in the qualifying round, was last overall after missing on all three attempts in the championship round. 
 
KPOMASSY'S SUCCESSFUL FRESHMAN CAMPAIGN
At the USATF U20 Championships on June 20, Kpomassy threw a personal-best 19.99 meters (65-7), placing second overall behind Arkansas State's Omar Hussein, who tossed 20.97 meters (68-9.75). Mekhi Malcolm (Anderson-SC) was third with a 19.79-meter throw (64-11.25). 
 
Kpomassy's mark does not count toward his collegiate progress, as his best was 18.64 meters (61-2) at the NCAA Division I West First Rounds on May 27, in Fayetteville (listed on TFRRS). 
 
Kpomassy got a late start to his freshman campaign, opening his collegiate career at the Arkansas Twilight on May 8. He threw 16.87 meters (55-4.25) in his first official mark. Kpomassy made headlines as the first men's shot putter to win gold in Conference USA, hurling 17.94 meters (59-10.25). He was also the first UTEP shot putter since 1996 to snag a gold medal in the event. 
 
 
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