Dynamic Bulldog Duo Competing On World Stage
August 23, 2023 | Track & Field
Curtis Thompson and Anderson Peters share a special bond.
STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State javelin duo of the United States' Curtis Thompson and Grenada's Anderson Peters forged a strong bond built through the spirit of competition and making each other better.
From shattering records at the collegiate level to making their Olympic debuts at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Thompson and Peters have been there for each other every step of the way.
"[We're] great friends," Thompson said of his relationship with Peters. "We've built a relationship over our time at Mississippi State. As much as we can say that I've helped him, he's helped me as well. Being able to bounce ideas off each other throughout our experiences has been great. That's kind of how that relationship grew and continues to grow as we continue on this world stage."
MSU track and field associate head coach April Thomas discussed what stood out about the relationship between the two athletes during their time in the program.
"Mainly their camaraderie with each other," Thomas said. "They definitely respect each other in the sport and this industry. They both understood what it took to get to that next level, and not only to get there, but to try and stay there and compete against some of the best in the world."
Thompson and Peters played huge roles in building MSU's identity as JavU. The duo helped State become the first program in NCAA history to have three men throw further than 80.00m. They also claimed a combined three NCAA Championships and two SEC Championships in their collegiate careers while setting meet records at both events.
For Thompson, bringing in numerous accolades at MSU and on the world stage alongside Peters shows all the long hours they've put in together have been worth it.
"We've had our conversations with each other about what our goals are and what it is that we are looking for out of our careers," Thompson said. "To be able to achieve them [and] get closer to those goals is a sign of hard work paying off and keeping the dream alive and working off of that."
Since competing on the world stage, the talented pair have shredded records as they continue to make their mark as two of the most talented javelin throwers in the world.
At just 19 years old, Peters became the youngest javelin champion at the 2019 World Championships and was also the Caribbean's first-ever gold medalist in a field event at the games. Meanwhile Thompson, in his qualifier to make the USA team for the 2023 World Athletics Championship, became the first USA javelin thrower in 15 years to earn a top 10 World Rankings spot with a career-best throw of 80.92m.
As both athletes gear up to compete in Budapest, Thomas discussed what it meant for MSU to see Bulldogs succeeding on the world stage.
"It has brought a great light on to the program," Thomas said. "I do appreciate it because it does help with recruiting [also]. It helps in the sense [that] people want to come to Mississippi State. They still consider us JavU, [and] they know what we've done in the past. So, it definitely helps."
Thompson and Peters begin the qualifying round of the javelin competition at the 2023 World Athletics Championship on August 25 with the final set for August 27.
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From shattering records at the collegiate level to making their Olympic debuts at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Thompson and Peters have been there for each other every step of the way.
"[We're] great friends," Thompson said of his relationship with Peters. "We've built a relationship over our time at Mississippi State. As much as we can say that I've helped him, he's helped me as well. Being able to bounce ideas off each other throughout our experiences has been great. That's kind of how that relationship grew and continues to grow as we continue on this world stage."
MSU track and field associate head coach April Thomas discussed what stood out about the relationship between the two athletes during their time in the program.
"Mainly their camaraderie with each other," Thomas said. "They definitely respect each other in the sport and this industry. They both understood what it took to get to that next level, and not only to get there, but to try and stay there and compete against some of the best in the world."
Thompson and Peters played huge roles in building MSU's identity as JavU. The duo helped State become the first program in NCAA history to have three men throw further than 80.00m. They also claimed a combined three NCAA Championships and two SEC Championships in their collegiate careers while setting meet records at both events.
For Thompson, bringing in numerous accolades at MSU and on the world stage alongside Peters shows all the long hours they've put in together have been worth it.
"We've had our conversations with each other about what our goals are and what it is that we are looking for out of our careers," Thompson said. "To be able to achieve them [and] get closer to those goals is a sign of hard work paying off and keeping the dream alive and working off of that."
Since competing on the world stage, the talented pair have shredded records as they continue to make their mark as two of the most talented javelin throwers in the world.
At just 19 years old, Peters became the youngest javelin champion at the 2019 World Championships and was also the Caribbean's first-ever gold medalist in a field event at the games. Meanwhile Thompson, in his qualifier to make the USA team for the 2023 World Athletics Championship, became the first USA javelin thrower in 15 years to earn a top 10 World Rankings spot with a career-best throw of 80.92m.
As both athletes gear up to compete in Budapest, Thomas discussed what it meant for MSU to see Bulldogs succeeding on the world stage.
"It has brought a great light on to the program," Thomas said. "I do appreciate it because it does help with recruiting [also]. It helps in the sense [that] people want to come to Mississippi State. They still consider us JavU, [and] they know what we've done in the past. So, it definitely helps."
Thompson and Peters begin the qualifying round of the javelin competition at the 2023 World Athletics Championship on August 25 with the final set for August 27.
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