Mats Nilsson (javelin thrower)

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Mats Nilsson is a 4-time All-American male javelin thrower competing for University of Alabama (1995–1998), University of Texas at El Paso (2000–2001), and the Swedish National Team (1991–2004). He was ranked top-10 in the world as a junior, a perennial medalist at the Swedish Championships, and became Crimson Tide's first NCAA champion in the javelin throw in history. Mats's older brother, Joakim Nilsson, was the catalyst for the Tide's throwers' program in the early 1990s, and was awarded the prestigious Bryant Student Athlete Award (1995) (named after Paul "Bear" Bryant) at the end of his career. Mats Nilsson received his PhD in exercise physiology.

Mats Nilsson
Mats Nilsson NCAA & SEC Champion 1997, Crimson Tide
Personal information
Full nameMats Inge Nilsson
NationalitySwedish
BornTyresö, Stockholm County
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight~180 lb
Sport
Country Sweden
SportTrack and Field
EventJavelin
ClubKlippans FK
Retired2005
Achievements and titles
Personal best77.14 m
Medal record
Men's Athletics

NCAA

Gold medal – first place 1997 Bloomington, IN Javelin
Silver medal – second place 1996 Eugene, OR Javelin
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Buffalo, NY Javelin

Progression

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  • 1989: 48.80 m/160.1 ft (600 g)
  • 1990: 63.02 m/206.7 ft (600 g)
  • 1991: 72.22 m/236.9 ft (600 g), 65.90 m/216.2 (700 g); EYOD Silver Medalist [1] European Youth Olympic Festival
  • 1992: 61 m/200.1 ft (800 g)
  • 1993: 66.72 m/218.8 ft (800 g)
  • 1994: 70.14 m/230.1 ft (800 g); Junior World Championships 9th place
  • 1995: 72.20 m/236.8 ft (800 g)
  • 1996: 76.66 m/251.5 ft (800 g); NCAA Silver Medalist, SEC Gold Medalist
  • 1997: 77.14 m/253.08 ft (800 g); NCAA Gold Medalist, SEC Gold Medalist, M22 European Championships 10th place

Other

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  • Ranked top-100 in the world 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, and 2004 with the 800 g javelin
  • "All-American" 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000
  • WAC Champion 2000
  • Medalist Swedish Championships 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, and 2004
 
2004 Dual Nation Swe-Fin