Riverdale, N.Y. — Sophomore javelin thrower Lewis Forster achieved the highest honor for his age group in England when he became the U-20 Javelin National Champion on July 21 at Alexander Stadium. Forster edged out fellow countryman Ben Jones with a gold medal-winning throw of 59.62m for his sixth and final throw of the day.
"I was over the moon and just relieved," Forster said. "This was my first national championship medal and it felt like a great weight off my shoulders. I was grateful to see the work I put in at Manhattan over the past 10 months had paid off."
Forster wrapped up his freshman season at Manhattan with high throws of 60.54m at West Point Army Open and 60.07 at the 2024 IC4A/ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Back home, the Manchester native is a six-time Greater Manchester Champion and competes for Leigh Harriers Athletics Club.
"I am so happy for Lewis and proud of him for this outstanding accomplishment," said Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Kerri Inman. "Lewis works incredibly hard and always with a smile. This win is so well deserved."
His father, Simon, serves as his coach back at home. Simon Forster is a former English Schools Champion and National Champion in the javelin, which he achieved in 1992.
"My dad is the reason why I am a javelin thrower," Lewis once said, according to Leigh Harriers website. "He told me about his success as a javelin thrower back in the 90's, and this lit a fire inside me to take up athletics."
