{{Short description|American Olympic hammer thrower (born 1981)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox sportsperson | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|7|17}} | birth_place = | height = {{height|m=1.88}} | weight = {{convert|107|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | country = {{USA}} | sport = Athletics | event = Hammer throw | coach = | highestranking = | pb = | medaltemplates = {{MedalCompetition|Pan American Games}} {{MedalGold |2011 Guadalajara|Hammer throw}} {{MedalGold |2015 Toronto|Hammer throw}} {{MedalSilver |2007 Rio de Janeiro|Hammer throw}} | updated = July 22, 2015 }}
'''Kibwé Johnson''' (born July 17, 1981) is an American Olympic track and field athlete who specializes in the hammer throw. He has represented his country at the World Championships in Athletics three times (2007, 2011, and 2015). Competed in the 2012 London Olympics where he made the final and finished 9th. No American had made the final since 1996. Johnson competed in 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
He is a three-time medalist at the Pan American Games, having taken silver in 2007 and improved to the gold in 2011 (where he broke the Games record), and then repeated in 2015 in Toronto. He set his personal best of {{convert|80.31|m|ftin|abbr=off|sp=us}} in 2011. He was the 2011 USA Outdoor Champion in the hammer throw and the 2008 USA Indoor Champion in the weight throw where he recorded the second best mark in US history.
==Career== Born in San Francisco, he initially started as a discus thrower, before starting to focus more on the hammer while studying at the University of Georgia. Johnson later moved to Moorpark Junior College in Moorpark, California before finishing at Ashland University where he later graduated and represented them in NCAA Division II competitions.<ref name=LAS>Thompson, Glenn (April 2008, Volume 10, Issue 4). [http://www.longandstrong.com/LSTJ/April08.htm Kibwe Johnson Making His Own Way] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425132439/http://www.longandstrong.com/LSTJ/April08.htm |date=2012-04-25 }}. ''Long and Strong''. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref> He competed at the 2004 United States Olympic Trials in both the discus and hammer, placing eighth and 19th respectively.<ref name=USATF>[http://www.legacy.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Johnson_Kibwe.asp Kibwe Johnson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013013639/http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Johnson_Kibwe.asp |date=2011-10-13 }}. USATF. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref> He placed third in the weight throw at the 2005 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships and threw a best of {{convert|24.54|m|ftin|abbr=off|sp=us}} at the Oiler Open meet – a distance which ranked him as the third best American and eleventh best ever in the history of the event.<ref>[http://www.legacy.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2005_12_06_14_02_16 Johnson named Athlete of the Week] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020175537/http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2005_12_06_14_02_16 |date=2014-10-20 }}. USATF (2005-06-12). Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref> A personal record hammer throw of 78.25 m in May saw him rank third nationally that year. He was the runner-up in the weight throw at the 2006 USA Indoors, then finished in fourth place in the hammer throw at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships later that year.<ref name=USATF/>
Johnson had his breakthrough season in 2007. He won the discus event at the Mt. SAC Relays then came runner-up in the hammer at the 2007 USA Outdoors.<ref name=USATF/> Making his international debut at the 2007 Pan American Games, he had a throw of 73.23 m on his final attempt, which brought him the silver medal behind Canada's James Steacy.<ref>Biscayart, Eduardo (2007-07-26). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=39956.html Ennis-London beats Felicien in a thriller – Pan American Games, Day 4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022122737/http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=39956.html |date=2012-10-22 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref> Johnson was selected to represent the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics, but failed to record a valid throw in the qualifying round. In spite of this he remained positive about the experience and fellow throwers Tore Gustafsson and Koji Murofushi offered him encouragement and technical advice.<ref name=LAS/> In 2008 he won the USA Indoors weight throw title – his first win at national level – but he fouled out at the 2008 Olympic Trials later in the season.<ref name=USATF/> This frustrating result was the catalyst for his move to train with Dr. Bondarchuk.
After missing much of 2009, he returned to form in 2010 as he finished as runner-up in the hammer at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships (throwing 76.31 m). A personal best throw of 80.31 m at the 2011 USA Outdoors saw Johnson take his first ever national outdoor title. As national champion, he gained his second opportunity to compete on the global stage at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, but his best throw of 75.06 m in qualifying was not enough to reach the final.<ref name=USATF/> He was also chosen to represent his country at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. At the competition he improved from his silver in 2007 to take the gold medal with a Pan American Games record mark of 79.63 m, improving Lance Deal's record from 1999.<ref>Robinson, Javier Clavelo (2011-10-27). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62791.html Brenes improves to 44.65, Maggi sails 6.94m in Guadalajara - Pan American Games, Day 4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028074501/http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=62791.html |date=2011-10-28 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref>
In the last ten years, Kibwé has won 5 US Championships with 3 runner-up finishes. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics, finishing 8th in the men's hammer final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/olympic-results/london-2012/athletics/hammer-throw-m |title=London 2012 hammer throw men - Olympic Athletics |date=3 June 2017 |website=olympic.org |access-date=26 April 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123141359/http://www.olympic.org/olympic-results/london-2012/athletics/hammer-throw-m |archive-date=23 November 2015 }}</ref> One of the most versatile throwers of all time, he has the unofficial world record for combination of Hammer throw ({{convert|80.31|m|ftin|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}), Discus ({{convert|65.11|m|ftin|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}), indoor weight throw ({{convert|25.12|m|ftin|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}).
{| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- |Rowspan=2|2016 |USA Olympic Trials Track and Field |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=silver|2nd |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|75.11}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Track---Field/Results.aspx |title=USA Track & Field Olympic Trials - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2016-07-11 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715122625/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Track---Field/Results.aspx |archive-date=2016-07-15 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Portland, Oregon |15th |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|0.00}} NM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/USATF-Indoor-Track---Field-Championships/Results/Day-2.aspx |title=2016 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2016-03-12 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026183401/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/USATF-Indoor-Track---Field-Championships/Results/Day-2.aspx |archive-date=2016-10-26 }}</ref> |- |Rowspan=2|2015 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=gold|1st |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|76.95}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx |title=2016 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2016-03-12 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005155325/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx |archive-date=2016-10-05 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA |5th |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|22.54}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flashresults.com/2015_Meets/Indoor/02-27_USA/039-1_compiled.htm |title=2015 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2015-02-28 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511073558/http://www.flashresults.com/2015_Meets/Indoor/02-27_USA/039-1_compiled.htm |archive-date=2017-05-11 }}</ref> |- |2014 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Hornet Stadium (Sacramento) |bgcolor=gold|1st |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|74.16}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Complete-Results.aspx |title=2014 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2014-06-28 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811174645/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Complete-Results.aspx |archive-date=2016-08-11 }}</ref> |- |2013 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Drake Stadium Des Moines, Iowa |5th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|71.17}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2013/USATFCS/Events/USA-Outdoor-Track---Field-Championships/Results---Full.aspx |title=2013 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2013-06-28 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013052301/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2013/USATFCS/Events/USA-Outdoor-Track---Field-Championships/Results---Full.aspx |archive-date=2016-10-13 }}</ref> |- |2012 |USA Olympic Trials Track and Field |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=gold|1st |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|74.97}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2012/OlympicTrials-TF/results/Results35-1.htm |title=USA Track & Field Olympic Trials - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2012-06-21 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080855/http://www.usatf.org/events/2012/OlympicTrials-TF/Results/Results35-1.htm |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> |- |2011 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=gold|1st |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|80.31}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2011/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/complete_senior.asp |title=2011 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2011-06-23 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216090018/http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/complete_senior.asp |archive-date=2017-02-16 }}</ref> |- |Rowspan=2|2010 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Drake Stadium Des Moines, Iowa |bgcolor=silver|2nd |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|76.31}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2010/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/completeresults.asp |title=2010 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2010-06-23 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125070621/https://www.usatf.org/events/2010/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/completeresults.asp |archive-date=2017-01-25 }}</ref> |- |DécaNation |Annecy, France |bgcolor=gold|1st |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|75.12}} |- |Rowspan=2|2009 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |32nd |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|0.00}} NM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2009/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results.asp |title=2009 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2016-03-12 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210125518/http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results.asp |archive-date=2017-02-10 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA |9th |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|18.92}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2009/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/finalresults.asp |title=2009 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2009-02-28 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005205815/http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/finalresults.asp |archive-date=2016-10-05 }}</ref> |- |Rowspan=2|2008 |USA Olympic Trials Track and Field |Eugene, Oregon |12th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|0.00}} NM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/results/F35.asp |title=2008 USA Track & Field Olympic Trials Track and Field - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2008-07-05 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005232205/http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/results/F35.asp |archive-date=2016-10-05 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA |bgcolor=gold|1st |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|25.12}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2008/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/F13.asp |title=2008 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2008-02-24 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005213042/http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/F13.asp |archive-date=2016-10-05 }}</ref> |- |2007 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=silver|2nd |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|75.12}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2007/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults_open.asp |title=2007 USA Track & Field Outdoor Track and Field Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2007-07-05 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210130216/http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults_open.asp |archive-date=2017-02-10 }}</ref> |- |Rowspan=2|2006 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |IUPUI, Carroll Stadium |4th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|71.87}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2006/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |title=2006 USA Track & Field Outdoor Track and Field Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2006-07-05 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210125557/http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |archive-date=2017-02-10 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA |bgcolor=silver|2nd |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|23.72}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2006/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |title=2006 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2006-02-24 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310113424/http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |archive-date=2016-03-10 }}</ref> |- |Rowspan=2|2005 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |California State University, Dominguez Hills |13th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|54.40}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2005/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |title=2005 USA Track & Field Outdoor Track and Field Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2005-06-24 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012429/http://www.usatf.org/events/2005/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |archive-date=2016-03-05 }}</ref> |- |USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA |bgcolor=cc99000|3rd |Weight throw |{{T&Fcalc|22.27}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2005/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |title=2005 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2005-02-24 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005221630/http://www.usatf.org/events/2005/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults.asp |archive-date=2016-10-05 }}</ref> |- |2004 |USA Olympic Trials Track and Field |California State University, Sacramento Alex G. Spanos Sports and Recreation Complex |19th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|65.39}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-TF/results/fullResults.asp |title=2004 USA Track & Field Olympic Trials Track and Field - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2004-07-12 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718184736/http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-TF/results/fullResults.asp |archive-date=2016-07-18 }}</ref> |- |2003 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Stanford University Cobb Track & Angel Field |16th |Hammer throw |{{T&Fcalc|62.35}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2003/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults_open.asp |title=2003 USA Track & Field Outdoor Track and Field Championships - Results - Full |publisher=Usatf.org |date=2003-06-24 |access-date=2016-10-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703103007/http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/results/fullResults_open.asp |archive-date=2015-07-03 }}</ref> |- |}
==Personal life== He is coached by former Soviet Olympic champion and coach, Dr. Anatoliy Bondarchuk. He is married to Crystal Smith Johnson, a former Canadian champion and record holder who also trained with Bondarchuk.<ref>[http://www.kamloopstrackandfield.ca/kibwejohnson_n1.htm Kibwe Johnson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425132439/http://www.kamloopstrackandfield.ca/kibwejohnson_n1.htm |date=2012-04-25 }}. Kamloops Track and Field. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.</ref> They have two daughters, born on April 18, 2012, and September 6, 2015. Johnson resides in Bradenton, Florida, where he is a throws coach at IMG Academy.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{World Athletics}} * {{USATF|Kibwe-Johnson}}
{{Footer Pan American Champions Hammer Men}} {{Footer US NC Hammer Men}} {{Footer US NC Indoor Weight Throw Men}} {{Footer USA Track & Field 2012 Summer Olympics}} {{Footer USA Track & Field 2016 Summer Olympics}}{{Footer 2025 World Athletics Championships Team USA Track & Field}}{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Kibwe}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American men hammer throwers Category:African-American track and field athletes Category:Ashland Eagles men's track and field athletes Category:Georgia Bulldogs men's track and field athletes
Category:Moorpark Raiders men's track and field athletes Category:North Gwinnett High School alumni Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic track and field athletes for the United States Category:Men weight throwers Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States Category:Track and field athletes from San Francisco Category:USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2007 Pan American Games Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2011 Pan American Games Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2015 Pan American Games Category:Medalists at the 2007 Pan American Games Category:Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games Category:Medalists at the 2015 Pan American Games Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in athletics (track and field) Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in athletics (track and field) Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen