For a look into Ashton Eaton’s biggest moment and overall career, click here
For the day-two recap of Ashton Eaton’s world-record performance, click here
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You could say he was dominant.
Ashton Eaton kicked off his campaign for Olympic gold in the decathlon on Friday by posting a lifetime best, first-day score of 4,728 points — 17 ahead of the American-record pace. He won four of five day-one events, beginning with back-t0-back world decathlon records in the first two events: the 100-meter dash and long jump.
“What you’re seeing is basically just a culmination of everyone that supported me and got me to this point,” Eaton said. “And me fiercely trying to not let them down.”@@beast!@@
Running alongside defending Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay, Eaton exploded off the line in the 100 meters, finishing in a decathlon world-best 10.21 to set the tone for the rest of his afternoon.
He kept his momentum going in the long jump, soaring to another personal best with an 8.23-meter jump on his first attempt. That effort set a decathlon world record and scored 1,120 points to bring his two-event total to 2,164 — the highest score ever through two events.
Though throwing events aren’t normally considered a strong suit for him, he held his own in the shot put with a mark of 14.20. He improved on each of his next three throws and finished fifth, remaining in first place overall going into the high jump.
It was more of the same for him in the high jump, as he cleared the bar easily at 1.90 meters to open competition before passing 1.93, as well as the next  four heights — each time on his first attempt. Eaton beat out Edward Broadbent and Ryan Harlan@@names checked@@ to be the only jumper to clear the bar at 2.05 meters but was unable to earn a personal best after failing to clear 2.08 meters.
He concluded his dominant first day by posting the fastest time of the three decathlon heats in the 400 meters by over a second. He finished in 46.70 in rain that was so strong it caused the starter’s gun to malfunction, forcing a second start to the race.
After taking home victories in four of five day-one events, Eaton holds a 322-point lead over Hardee.
The decathlon continues early Saturday morning with the 110-meter hurdles at 9:30 a.m. The competition then shifts back to field events with the discus, pole vault and javelin throws highlighting the day. Saturday’s decathlon events conclude with the 1,500 meters at 5:30.