Purdue's Kara Winger wins World silver in javelin: 'Your dream can come true.'

There is something about these Boilermakers in this century on this world stage.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Chris Huffins ran the closing 1,500 meters in the fastest time of his life, securing a bronze medal in the decathlon. At the 2012 London Olympics, David Boudia saved his highest-scoring dive for the last round, winning a surprise gold on 10-meter platform.

Then came track and field’s 2022 World Championships.

On a Friday with the sun setting in Oregon and on Kara Winger’s javelin career, she had one attempt to salvage a first world medal at age 36. After two ACL surgeries, she thought her chance had passed. She was in fifth place.

Instead of a face of tension, hers was a broad smile as she urged the Eugene crowd to clap rhythmically. She crossed steps down the runway, holding the javelin above her right shoulder and aiming to throw through the spot at which it would travel farthest. This time, the spear soared . . . and kept going.

The tip stopped 64.05 meters away — 210 feet, 1 inch — and suddenly Winger was second.

That is where she stayed, becoming the first Purdue woman to win an outdoor global medal in this sport. She is the first American woman to win a javelin medal at a World Championships.

“I’m amazed these results are coming after my second ACL tear,” Winger said. “When you do the right stuff, your dream can come true.”

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The four-time Olympian was honored to be flag bearer at last year’s closing ceremony in Tokyo. This time she was draped in the flag as she made her way around Hayward Field on a victory lap.

Winger’s result was no fluke. She had three other throws exceeding 200 feet and was briefly in fourth place. She was fifth at the 2019 worlds, previously the best by an American, and fourth in qualifying Wednesday.

In field events, no American woman has ever been on top so long — national titles 14 years apart, 2008 and 2022.

“I walked into this stadium, this season, very much at ease with whatever happened,” Winger said. “I’ve always known that’s in me. So to actually have that finally come true is extremely gratifying in front of a home crowd.”

Australia’s Kelsey-Lee Barber repeated as gold medalist with a distance of 219-6, best in the world this year. Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan won bronze with a throw of 207-7, also in the final around.

Winger, a native of Vancouver, Wash., would not have persisted another season if not for the chance to be in a World Championships in her native Pacific Northwest. This was not her final meet because she plans to compete in Europe and in the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships Aug. 19-21 in the Bahamas.

Indiana women could come away from Hayward Field with one more medal, and perhaps two.

Lynna Irby, a Pike High graduate, is due to run prelims of the 1,600-meter relay Saturday. Also in the foursome is Allyson Felix, 36, who was called out of retirement by Team USA. Since winning a bronze medal in the mixed relay a week ago, Felix attended the ESPY Awards Wednesday in Hollywood.

Those who run prelims earn the same medals as those in the final, and the United States will be favored for gold Sunday.

Another Purdue graduate, Devynne Charlton, is in heats of the 100-meter hurdles Saturday. Charlton, representing the Bahamas, won a silver medal in the 60-meter hurdles at March’s World Indoor Championships.

Winger’s medal helped increase the United States’ total to 26 through eight days of the 10-day championship. The record for a single World Championships is 31 medals by East Germany in 1987.

Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Oregon22: Kara Winger wins silver in javelin at World Championships