Canada’s Camryn Rogers has made history at the world athletics championships, becoming the first Canadian woman ever to win a medal in women’s hammer throw. 

With the wind swirling and sun beating down on Hayward Field Sunday afternoon in Eugene, Ore., Rogers launched her third throw of the final 75.52 metres, enough to capture silver for Canada. 

It marks the first time a Canadian woman has won a field event medal at the world championships. It’s also Canada’s first medal at these worlds.

“Oh my gosh. I feel so completely overwhelmed right now with emotion. I am so happy,” Rogers told CBC Sports. 

“I am so motivated and so excited to be coming home with this medal. It shows every throw, every lift, this is what it leads to.”

Fellow Canadian Olympian Jillian Weir finished fifth with a throw of 72.41m. 

WATCH | Rogers wins historic silver medal at worlds:

Camryn Rogers earns silver in hammer throw final at World Athletics Championships

The Richmond, B.C. native scored 75.52 on her 3rd attempt for Canada’s 1st medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Brooke Andersen of the U.S. won gold with a throw of 78.96m, while compatriot Janee’ Kassanavoid claimed bronze (74.86m).

Rogers soaked in the historic moment, doing a lap around the stadium with a Canadian flag draped over her. 

Camryn’s mom, Shari Rogers, was cheering wildly in the stands beside her fiance, waving a Canadian flag.

The two shared a hug while Rogers was continuing her lap around the stadium.

“I felt so overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. Camryn is my hero. She leads by example and I learn so much from her all the time. We’ve gone through a lot together,” Shari said. 

The historic moment fully sunk in for Camryn when she was embraced by her mom. 

“When we were doing our lap afterwards I saw her in the crowd. She came down to the railing and gave me a huge hug and that’s when it hit me,” Camryn said. “When she wrapped her arms around me I started bawling on the spot.”

WATCH | Rogers reflects on podium finish:

Camryn Rogers reflects on winning silver in World Athletics Championships hammer throw

The 23-year-old Canadian spoke with CBC’s Scott Russell following her 2nd place finish in the women’s hammer throw final at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Rogers started strong with an opening throw of 72.61m, putting her in second spot to begin. She didn’t register her second throw after it hit the net. 

But her best was yet to come. 

Her third throw was the silver-medal winning throw. Rogers stepped into the ring and launched it 75.52m.

“I could not be more motivated. My season isn’t over yet. Commonwealth Games in two weeks, go there and execute,” Rogers said.

It’s been another successful season for Rogers. 

The 23-year-old from Richmond, B.C., is a three-time NCAA champion, winning her third title just a month earlier. She holds the national and NCAA records in the event. 

Rogers also made history in her Olympic debut in Tokyo last summer, becoming the first Canadian woman ever to.advance into an Olympic hammer throw final.

She finished fifth overall with a throw of 74.35m. She was the youngest competitor in the final, just 22 years old at the time, by almost two years.

WATCH | Rogers took unlikely road to becoming hammer throw superstar:

Camryn Rogers took an unlikely road to becoming a hammer throw superstar

Hammer throw was Canadian Camryn Rogers’ first sport, and now at 23, she’s one of the best in the world.

And her fascination with the sport began just a decade ago while watching the London 2012 Olympics. Rogers was amazed by how strong the women in the hammer throw event were — she wanted to one day be like them.

Now she’s made history in the event for Canada, and her mom couldn’t be more proud. 

“She gives me strength and she doesn’t even realize it. When I see her out there doing that, it’s such an amazing feeling. I’m so happy for her,” Shari said. 

“It’s huge. And it shows that we have the power within ourselves to make anything happen.”

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.