Alex Rose

Rose threw 64.56 metres for fourth place in Birmingham, just two centimtres behind the bronze medallist, Travis Smikle of Jamiaca.

Rose was born and raised in the United States but his dad grew up in Samoa and he first represented his adopted country in 2012.

Australia's Matt Denny won gold, ahead of England's Lawrence Okoye.

Fiji's Naibili Vatunisolo has taken bronze in the women's para discus event.

Earlier, Ata Maama Tuutafaiva finished 10th in the women's shot putt.

The American-based athlete recorded a throw of 61.72 meters.

The field was composed of 32 throwers; the top 12 of whom advanced to the final round. All three of Rose’s throws topped 61 metres, but he missed out on a passage to the finals, coming in 18th. 

Sweden’s Daniel Stahl won the gold medal is the men’s discus and his teammate Simon Pettersson took the silver. Austria’s Lukas WeiBhaidinger claimed the bronze medal.

Rose needed a throw of at least 62.93 meters to reach the final.

The 29-year-old is competing in his second Summer Games, after exiting in the qualifying rounds in Rio five years ago.

He's currenty sitting 12th in the world rankings, and is dreaming big after recording a personal best throw of 67.48m at a meet in Tuscon, Arizona in May, which is the seventh best throw in the world this year.

"They take top 12 in the finals and I've never made an Olympics or a World Championship final before, but I truly think that this year I have the chance to do it," he said.

The 29-year-old relayed the news to his parents soon after he told that he will lead Team Samoa carrying the nation’s flag on Friday.

“I was just over joyed. The first thing I did was call my parents and I talked to my father, it really truly meant a lot to him. Clearly growing up in Samoa and culture being so engraved inside of him. I think there’s a certain level of pride that every Samoan has for the country,” he said in a video interview by ONOC.

The thought of marching and playing in front of no spectators and empty stadium has not dampened Rose’s spirit.

Samoa decided that its Olympic qualifiers who live and train within the island nation will not go to Tokyo due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus, Reuters reported. Samoa had 11 athletes bound for the games; three of them, all weightlifters, live on the island.

Because Rose lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he’s clear to compete.