Djerassi, Boris

Boris D. Djerassi

Sport:
track and field

Country Represented:
United States

Years Competed:
1980

Olympic Info:
Djerassi was the United States' best hammer thrower in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and made the Olympic team in 1980. The United States boycotted the Moscow Games following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan; so, unfortunately, Djerassi was not able to compete in the Olympics.

Career Highlights:
Born in Haifa, Israel, Djerassi was one of the most dominant track and field athletes the United States has ever seen. Between 1973-1981, Djerassi was ranked in the top ten in the United States in the hammer throw, and was No. 1 in 1975, 1978, and 1979 (he was No. 2 in 1977 and 1980). Boris initially came to the United States and enrolled at New York University, but when the school dropped its track and field program, he transferred to Northeastern University during his sophomore year.

In 1975, Djerassi came to national attention when he won the NCAA championship in the hammer throw (225'3"). The following year, he won the Penn Relays, the IC4A Championship, the NCAA Championship, and the AAU Championship in the hammer throw. Known for his incredible strength, Djerassi also competed in the World's Strongest Man competition in 1978 and finished in sixth place. A member of the Northeastern University Athletics Hall of Fame (inducted in 1989), he still holds the school's 35-pound shot put record (68'2-1/2").

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Origin:
Haifa, Israel

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