Fortune Gordien

Fortune Gordien first topped the world ranking list in 1947 and although he never quite did himself justice at the Olympics, he remained a major force in the discus for more than a decade. He won six AAU titles and while at the University of Minnesota he was three times NCAA champion. He posted a new world record four times, finishing with a throw of 194-6 (59.28) at Pasadena in August 1953. This was the best mark of his career but in 1960, as a 38-year-old, he was still capable of 187-10 (57.25). Gordien, who became a cattle rancher in Oregon, was also an accomplished shot putter, placing second in the 1947 AAU and third in the NCAA with a mark of 54-2¼ (16.51), which was the fifth best mark in the world that year. Apart from his two Olympic medals he also placed fourth in the discus at the 1952 Games. At the 1955 Pan American Games he won a gold medal in the discus throw and a silver medal in the shot put.

Personal Best: DT – 59.28 (1953).