Photographer gets hit by a shot put at the World Indoor Athletics Championships

In my career as a sports photographer, I’ve been hit by all sorts of objects: balls, helmets, sticks, pucks and even a mouthguard or two. One thing I haven’t been hit with – and hope to never be hit with – is a shot put.

Unfortunately, a photographer shooting the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland can’t say the same.

American pentathlete Kendell Williams was taking her turn in the shot put competition when she let loose an attempt that ended up sailing far right. So far right, in fact, that it managed to hit a photographer square in the chest, knocking him down on his back.

Bet that hurt. #Portland2016 pic.twitter.com/MfL77yHsjK

— Will Downing (@WillDowningComm) March 18, 2016

Surprisingly, the photographer didn’t seem too fazed by the impact. After a quick breather, he appears to stand up and shake it off while Williams walks off, clearly saying ‘Whoops!’

Not only was the photographer shooting with a Canon, he probably feels like he got hit by one as well. Even more poetic considering Canon is sponsoring the event.

[via BBC]