Christian Taylor Wins Gold Again Wearing #13 Odell Beckham Jr. Tribute Shoes
By LetsRun.com
September 30, 2019
DOHA, Qatar — Christian Taylor was his usual magnificent championship self Sunday night as he produced his best jump of the season in the fifth round (17.92) to come from behind and win his fourth World Championship title in the triple jump, to go along with his two Olympic titles.
Taylor’s rival, Will Claye, had to settle for the silver for the fourth time to Taylor at a global championship. (We analyze the competition more here).
Afterwards, in addition to talking about his greatness and the quest for Jonathan Edwards‘ world record, Taylor talked about the shoes he was wearing. His custom Nike’s said CDT on one side and had the number #13 on the other.
CDT a tribue to OBJ (click to enlarge)
13 in tribute to #13 Odell Beckham Jr.
Taylor (video below) said the shoes were a tribute to the Cleveland Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr., who did a famous “triple jump” celebration after a 75-yard touchdown reception in 2016.
Taylor said the shoes were “just a shout out to him (Beckham). In Rio (at the Olympics), he did a triple jump actually the same night that I won and I thought I would give him a little shout out and thank him for that support because the triple jump isn’t getting so much love. But I was really proud to be able to do the collab(oration) with him.”
Editor’s note: Beckham’s end zone triple jump was in the middle of October and Taylor won triple jump gold in August, so perhaps Taylor meant to say OBJ did the triple jump after seeing him win in Rio.
Taylor now turns his eyes towards the Tokyo Olympics and Edwards’ elusive world record. If the shoes are any indication, he’s trying to get the triple jump as much attention as possible because the Diamond League may cut it from its program next year.
Taylor explains his shoes:
Taylor on his gold: