Discus Throw - Wikipedia

Event in track and field athletics "Discus thrower" and "Discus" redirect here. For the statue, see Discobolus. For other uses, see Discus (disambiguation).

AthleticsDiscus throw
German 2012 Olympic champion Robert Harting
World records
Men	Mykolas Alekna (LTU) 75.56 m (247 ft 10 in) (2025)
Women	Gabriele Reinsch (GDR) 76.80 m (251 ft 11 in) (1988)
Olympic records
Men	Roje Stona (JAM) 70.00 m (229 ft 7 in) (2024)
Women	Martina Hellmann (GDR) 72.30 m (237 ft 2 in) (1988)
World Championship records
Men	Daniel Ståhl (SWE) 71.46 m (234 ft 5 in) (2023)
Women	Martina Hellmann  (GDR) 71.62 m (234 ft 11 in) (1987)

The discus throw (pronunciationⓘ), also known as disc throw, is a track and field event in which the participant athlete throws an oblate spheroid weight – called a discus – in an attempt to mark a further distance than other competitors. It is an ancient sport, as demonstrated by the fifth-century-BC Myron statue Discobolus. Although not part of the current pentathlon, it was one of the events of the ancient Greek pentathlon, which can be dated back to at least 708 BC,[1] and it is part of the modern decathlon.

History

[edit] See also: History of physical training and fitness

The sport of throwing the discus traces back to it being an event in the original Olympic Games of Ancient Greece.[2] The discus as a sport was resurrected in Magdeburg, Germany, by gymnastics teacher Christian Georg Kohlrausch and his students in the 1870s.[3] Organized men's competition was resumed in the late 19th century, and has been a part of the modern Summer Olympic Games since the first modern competition, the 1896 Summer Olympics. Images of discus throwers figured prominently in advertising for early modern Games, such as fundraising stamps for the 1896 Games, and the main posters for the 1920 and 1948 Summer Olympics. Today the sport of discus is a routine part of modern track-and-field meets at all levels, and retains a particularly iconic place in the Olympic Games.

The first modern athlete to throw the discus while rotating the whole body was František Janda-Suk from Bohemia (the present Czech Republic).[4] Janda-Suk invented this technique when studying the position of the statue of Discobolus. After a year of developing the technique, he earned a silver medal in the 1900 Olympics.

Women's competition began in the first decades of the 20th century. Following competition at national and regional levels, it was added to the Olympic program for the 1928 games.

Regulations

[edit]

The event consists of throwing a heavy disc, with the weight or size depending on the competitor. Men and women throw different sized discs, with varying sizes and weights depending on age. The weight of the discus is either governed by World Athletics for international or USA Track & Field for the United States.

In the United States, Henry Canine advocated for a lighter-weight discus in high school competition. His suggestion was adopted by the National High School Athletic Association in 1938.[5]

US Weights[6]

Age	Men	Women
High School	1.6 kg	1 kg
Collegiate	2 kg	1 kg
Professional	2 kg	1 kg
Master's (35–59)	1.5 kg	1 kg
Master's (60–74)	1 kg	1 kg
Master's (75+)	1 kg	0.75 kg

International Weights[7]

Age	Men	Women
≤17	1.5 kg	1 kg
18–19	1.75 kg	1 kg
20–49	2 kg	1 kg
50–59	1.5 kg	1 kg
60–74	1 kg	1 kg
75+	1 kg	0.75 kg

The typical discus has sides made of plastic, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber or metal with a metal rim and a metal core to attain the weight. The rim must be smooth, with no roughness or finger holds. A discus with more weight in the rim produces greater angular momentum for any given spin rate, and thus more stability, although it is more difficult to throw. However, a higher rim weight, if thrown correctly, can lead to a longer throw. In some competitions, a solid rubber discus is used (see in the United States).

To make a throw, the competitor starts in a circle of 2.50 m (8 ft 2+1⁄4 in) diameter, which is recessed in a concrete pad by 20 millimetres (0.79 in). The thrower typically takes an initial stance facing away from the direction of the throw. They then spin anticlockwise (for right-handers) 1+1⁄2 times while staying within the circle to build momentum before releasing the discus. The discus must land within a 34.92º circular sector that is centered on the throwing circle.[8] The rules of competition for discus are virtually identical to those of shot put, except that the circle is larger, a stop board is not used and there are no form rules concerning how the discus is to be thrown.

The basic motion is a fore-handed sidearm movement. The discus is spun off the index finger or the middle finger of the throwing hand. In flight the disc spins clockwise when viewed from above for a right-handed thrower, and anticlockwise for a left-handed thrower. As well as achieving maximum momentum in the discus on throwing, the discus' distance is also determined by the trajectory the thrower imparts, as well as the aerodynamic behavior of the discus. Generally, throws into a moderate headwind achieve the maximum distance. Also, a faster-spinning discus imparts greater gyroscopic stability. The technique of discus throwing is quite difficult to master and needs much experience to perfect; thus most top throwers are 30 years old or more.

The discus throw is sometimes contested indoors, but it is not included at the World Athletics Indoor Championships. World Athletics used to keep "world indoor best" discus records, but since 2023 they now combine both indoor and outdoor marks.[9][10]

Phases

[edit]

The discus technique can be broken down into phases. The purpose is to transfer from the back to the front of the throwing circle while turning through one and a half circles. The speed of delivery is high, and speed is built up during the throw (slow to fast). Correct technique involves the buildup of torque so that maximum force can be applied to the discus on delivery.[11]

Initially, the thrower takes up their position in the throwing circle, distributing their body weight evenly over both feet, which are roughly shoulder width apart. They crouch in order to adopt a more efficient posture to start from whilst also isometrically preloading their muscles; this will allow them to start faster and achieve a more powerful throw. They then begin the wind-up, which sets the tone for the entire throw; the rhythm of the wind-up and throw is very important.

Focusing on rhythm can bring about the consistency to get in the right positions that many throwers lack. Executing a sound discus throw with solid technique requires perfect balance. This is due to the throw being a linear movement combined with a one and a half rotation and an implement at the end of one arm. Thus, a good discus thrower needs to maintain balance within the circle.[12]

For a right handed thrower, the next stage is to move the weight over the left foot. From this position the right foot is raised, and the athlete 'runs' across the circle. There are various techniques for this stage where the leg swings out to a small or great extent, some athletes turn on their left heel (e.g. Ilke Wylluda[13]) but turning on the ball of the foot is far more common.

The aim is to land in the 'power position', the right foot should be in the center and the heel should not touch the ground at any point. The left foot should land very quickly after the right. Weight should be mostly over the back foot with as much torque as possible in the body—so the right arm is high and far back. This is very hard to achieve.[14]

The critical stage is the delivery of the discus, from this 'power position' the hips drive through hard, and will be facing the direction of the throw on delivery. Athletes employ various techniques to control the end-point and recover from the throw, such as fixing feet (to pretty much stop dead[13]), or an active reverse spinning onto the left foot (e.g. Virgilijus Alekna[15]).

Sports scientist Richard Ganslen researched the Aerodynamics of the Discus, reporting the discus will stall at an angle of 29°.[16]

Culture

[edit]

The discus throw has been the subject of a number of well-known ancient Greek statues and Roman copies such as the Discobolus and Discophoros. The discus throw also appears repeatedly in ancient Greek mythology, featured as a means of manslaughter in the cases of Hyacinth, Crocus, Phocus, and Acrisius, and as a named event in the funeral games of Patroclus.

Discus throwers have been selected as a main motif in numerous collectors' coins. One of the recent samples is the €10 Greek Discus commemorative coin, minted in 2003 to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics. On the obverse of the coin a modern athlete is seen in the foreground in a half-turned position, while in the background an ancient discus thrower has been captured in a lively bending motion, with the discus high above his head, creating a vivid representation of the sport.

All-time top 25

[edit] See also: Men's discus throw world record progression and Women's discus throw world record progression

Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 discus throw marks and the top 25 athletes:

- denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 discus throw marks

- denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 discus throw marks, by repeat athletes

- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 discus throw marks

Men

[edit]

• Correct as of August 2025.[17][18]

Ath.#	Perf.#	Mark	Athlete	Nation	Date	Place	Ref.
1	1	75.56 m (247 ft 10 in)	Mykolas Alekna	Lithuania	13 April 2025	Ramona	[19]
2	74.89 m (245 ft 8 in)	M. Alekna #2[a]	13 April 2025	Ramona	[19]
2	3	74.78 m (245 ft 4 in)	Matthew Denny	Australia	13 April 2025	Ramona	[19]
4	74.35 m (243 ft 11 in)	M. Alekna #3	14 April 2024	Ramona	[20]
5	74.25 m (243 ft 7 in)	Denny #2	10 April 2025	Ramona	[21]
3	6	74.08 m (243 ft 0 in)	Jürgen Schult	East Germany	6 June 1986	Neubrandenburg
4	7	73.88 m (242 ft 4 in)	Virgilijus Alekna	Lithuania	3 August 2000	Kaunas
5	8	73.38 m (240 ft 8 in)	Gerd Kanter	Estonia	4 September 2006	Helsingborg
6	9	72.36 m (237 ft 4 in)	Kristjan Čeh	Slovenia	31 May 2025	Slovenska Bistrica	[22]
10	72.34 m (237 ft 4 in)	Čeh #2	24 May 2025	Zagreb	[23]
11	72.15 m (236 ft 8 in)	M. Alekna #4	2 August 2025	Palanga	[24]
12	72.12 m (236 ft 7 in)	M. Alekna #5	30 May 2025	College Station	[25]
13	72.11 m (236 ft 6 in)	Čeh #3	25 May 2025	Ptuj	[26]
14	72.07 m (236 ft 5 in)	Denny #3	6 April 2025	Ramona	[21]
15	72.02 m (236 ft 3 in)	Kanter #2	3 May 2007	Salinas
7	16	72.01 m (236 ft 3 in)	Ralford Mullings	Jamaica	16 August 2025	Ramona	[27]
17	71.88 m (235 ft 9 in)	Kanter #3	8 May 2008	Salinas
8	18	71.86 m (235 ft 9 in)	Yuriy Dumchev	Soviet Union	29 May 1983	Moscow
			Daniel Ståhl	Sweden	29 June 2019	Bottnaryd	[28]
20	71.86 m (235 ft 9 in)	Čeh #4	16 June 2023	Jõhvi	[29]
10	21	71.84 m (235 ft 8 in)	Piotr Małachowski	Poland	8 June 2013	Hengelo
11	22	71.70 m (235 ft 2 in)	Róbert Fazekas	Hungary	14 July 2002	Szombathely
23	71.70 m (235 ft 2 in)	M. Alekna #6	19 July 2025	London	[30]
24	71.64 m (235 ft 0 in)	Kanter #4	25 June 2009	Kohila
25	71.56 m (234 ft 9 in)	V. Alekna #2	25 July 2007	Kaunas
12	71.50 m (234 ft 6 in)	Lars Riedel	Germany	3 May 1997	Wiesbaden
13	71.48 m (234 ft 6 in)	Alex Rose	Samoa	11 May 2024	Allendale	[31]
14	71.32 m (233 ft 11 in)	Ben Plucknett	United States	4 June 1983	Eugene	[32]
15	71.27 m (233 ft 9 in)	Sam Mattis	United States	13 April 2025	Ramona	[19]
16	71.26 m (233 ft 9 in)	John Powell	United States	9 June 1984	San Jose
		Rickard Bruch	Sweden	15 November 1984	Malmö
		Imrich Bugár	Czechoslovakia	25 May 1985	San Jose
19	71.18 m (233 ft 6 in)	Art Burns	United States	19 July 1983	San Jose
20	71.16 m (233 ft 5 in)	Wolfgang Schmidt	East Germany	9 August 1978	Berlin
21	71.14 m (233 ft 4 in)	Anthony Washington	United States	22 May 1996	Salinas
22	71.06 m (233 ft 1 in)	Luis Delís	Cuba	21 May 1983	Havana
23	71.01 m (232 ft 11 in)	Clemens Prüfer	Germany	13 April 2025	Ramona	[19]
24	70.98 m (232 ft 10 in)	Mac Wilkins	United States	9 July 1980	Helsinki
25	70.82 m (232 ft 4 in)	Aleksander Tammert	Estonia	15 April 2006	Denton	[33]

1. ^ Typically only one throw per competition would be included on this list, however due to this throw and the subsequent throw of 75.56 m (247 ft 10 in) both breaking the world record they are given special status and both are included.

Notable series

[edit]

• Matthew Denny had throws of 71.03, 73.46, 74.25, 72.93, 71.14 and 73.56 at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona on 10 April 2025, becoming the second man to produce six throws above 70 meters in a single competition.[21] He achieved a series average of 72.72 m, which is the best in history.[34]
• Mykolas Alekna had throws of 72.21, 70.32, 72.89, 70.51, 74.35 and 70.50 at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona on 14 April 2024, becoming the first man to produce three throws above 72 meters (and six throws above 70 meters) in a single competition.[35]
• Kristjan Čeh had throws of 71.86, 71.70 and 71.19 in Jõhvi on 16 June 2023 becoming the first man to have three throws above 71 metres in a single competition.[29]
• At the 2019 Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar, Daniel Ståhl became the first man to produce six throws beyond 69.50 in a single competition.[36]

Annulled marks

[edit]

• Ben Plucknett also threw a world record of 72.34 in Stockholm on 7 July 1981. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.
• Kamy Keshmiri threw 70.84 in Salinas on 27 May 1992. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.

Non-legal marks

[edit]

• Rickard Bruch also threw 72.18 at an exhibition meeting in Piteå on 23 July 1974.
• John Powell also threw 72.08 in Klagshamn on 11 September 1987, but the throw was made onto a sloping/downhill sector.

Women

[edit]

• Correct as of April 2025.[37][38]

Ath.#	Perf.#	Mark	Athlete	Nation	Date	Place	Ref.
1	1	76.80 m (251 ft 11 in)	Gabriele Reinsch	East Germany	9 July 1988	Neubrandenburg
2	2	74.56 m (244 ft 7 in)	Zdeňka Šilhavá	Czechoslovakia	26 August 1984	Nitra
			Ilke Wyludda	East Germany	23 July 1989	Neubrandenburg
4	74.44 m (244 ft 2 in)	Reinsch #2	13 September 1988	Berlin
5	74.40 m (244 ft 1 in)	Wyludda #2	13 September 1988	Berlin
4	6	74.08 m (243 ft 0 in)	Diana Gansky	East Germany	20 June 1987	Karl-Marx-Stadt
7	73.90 m (242 ft 5 in)	Gansky #2	27 June 1987	Prague
5	8	73.84 m (242 ft 3 in)	Daniela Costian	Romania	30 April 1988	Bucharest
9	73.78 m (242 ft 0 in)	Costian #2	24 April 1988	Bucharest
6	10	73.52 m (241 ft 2 in)	Valarie Allman	United States	12 April 2025	Ramona	[39]
11	73.42 m (240 ft 10 in)	Reinsch #3	12 June 1988	Karl-Marx-Stadt
7	12	73.36 m (240 ft 8 in)	Irina Meszynski	East Germany	17 August 1984	Prague
13	73.32 m (240 ft 6 in)	Gansky #2	11 June 1987	Neubrandenburg
8	14	73.28 m (240 ft 5 in)	Galina Savinkova	Soviet Union	8 September 1984	Donetsk
15	73.26 m (240 ft 4 in)	Savinkova #2	22 May 1983	Leselidze
		Gansky #3	6 June 1986	Neubrandenburg
17	73.24 m (240 ft 3 in)	Gansky #4	29 May 1987	Leipzig
9	18	73.22 m (240 ft 2 in)	Tsvetanka Khristova	Bulgaria	19 April 1987	Kazanlak
19	73.16 m (240 ft 0 in)	Wyludda #3	13 September 1988	Berlin
10	20	73.10 m (239 ft 9 in)	Gisela Beyer	East Germany	20 July 1984	Berlin
11	21	73.09 m (239 ft 9 in)	Yaime Pérez	Cuba	13 April 2024	Ramona	[40]
22	73.04 m (239 ft 7 in)	Gansky #5	6 June 1987	Potsdam
		Wyludda #4	5 August 1989	Gateshead
24	72.96 m (239 ft 4 in)	Savinkova #3	23 June 1985	Erfurt
25	72.94 m (239 ft 3 in)	Gansky #6	9 July 1988	Neubrandenburg
12	72.92 m (239 ft 2 in)	Martina Hellmann	East Germany	20 August 1987	Potsdam
13	72.14 m (236 ft 8 in)	Galina Murashova	Soviet Union	17 August 1984	Prague
14	71.80 m (235 ft 6 in)	Mariya Vergova	Bulgaria	13 July 1980	Sofia
15	71.68 m (235 ft 2 in)	Xiao Yanling	China	14 March 1992	Beijing
16	71.58 m (234 ft 10 in)	Ellina Zvereva	Soviet Union	12 June 1988	Leningrad
17	71.50 m (234 ft 6 in)	Evelin Jahl	East Germany	10 May 1980	Potsdam
18	71.41 m (234 ft 3 in)	Sandra Perković	Croatia	18 July 2017	Bellinzona	[41]
19	71.30 m (233 ft 11 in)	Larisa Korotkevich	Russia	29 May 1992	Sochi
20	71.22 m (233 ft 7 in)	Ria Stalman	Netherlands	15 July 1984	Walnut
21	70.88 m (232 ft 6 in)	Hilda Ramos	Cuba	8 May 1992	Havana
22	70.80 m (232 ft 3 in)	Larisa Mikhalchenko	Soviet Union	18 June 1988	Kharkiv
23	70.72 m (232 ft 0 in)	Laulauga Tausaga	United States	12 April 2025	Ramona	[39]
24	70.68 m (231 ft 10 in)	Maritza Martén	Cuba	18 July 1992	Seville
25	70.65 m (231 ft 9 in)	Denia Caballero	Cuba	20 June 2015	Bilbao	[42]

Annulled marks

[edit]

• Daniela Costian of Romania threw a best of 73.48 in Bucharest on 30 April 1988. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.
• Darya Pishchalnikova of Russia threw a best of 70.69 in Cheboksary on 5 July 2012. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.

Non-legal marks

[edit]

• Martina Hellmann also threw 78.14 at an unofficial meeting in Berlin on 6 September 1988.
• Ilke Wyludda also threw 75.36 at an unofficial meeting in Berlin on 6 September 1988.

Olympic medalists

[edit]

Men

[edit] edit

Games	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1896 Athensdetails	Robert Garrett United States	Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos Greece	Sotirios Versis Greece
1900 Parisdetails	Rudolf Bauer Hungary	František Janda-Suk Bohemia	Richard Sheldon United States
1904 St. Louisdetails	Martin Sheridan United States	Ralph Rose United States	Nikolaos Georgantas Greece
1908 Londondetails	Martin Sheridan United States	Merritt Giffin United States	Bill Horr United States
1912 Stockholmdetails	Armas Taipale Finland	Richard Byrd United States	James Duncan United States
1920 Antwerpdetails	Elmer Niklander Finland	Armas Taipale Finland	Gus Pope United States
1924 Parisdetails	Bud Houser United States	Vilho Niittymaa Finland	Thomas Lieb United States
1928 Amsterdamdetails	Bud Houser United States	Antero Kivi Finland	James Corson United States
1932 Los Angelesdetails	John Anderson United States	Henri LaBorde United States	Paul Winter France
1936 Berlindetails	Ken Carpenter United States	Gordon Dunn United States	Giorgio Oberweger Italy
1948 Londondetails	Adolfo Consolini Italy	Giuseppe Tosi Italy	Fortune Gordien United States
1952 Helsinkidetails	Sim Iness United States	Adolfo Consolini Italy	James Dillion United States
1956 Melbournedetails	Al Oerter United States	Fortune Gordien United States	Des Koch United States
1960 Romedetails	Al Oerter United States	Rink Babka United States	Dick Cochran United States
1964 Tokyodetails	Al Oerter United States	Ludvík Daněk Czechoslovakia	Dave Weill United States
1968 Mexico Citydetails	Al Oerter United States	Lothar Milde East Germany	Ludvík Daněk Czechoslovakia
1972 Munichdetails	Ludvík Daněk Czechoslovakia	Jay Silvester United States	Ricky Bruch Sweden
1976 Montrealdetails	Mac Wilkins United States	Wolfgang Schmidt East Germany	John Powell United States
1980 Moscowdetails	Viktor Rashchupkin Soviet Union	Imrich Bugár Czechoslovakia	Luis Delís Cuba
1984 Los Angelesdetails	Rolf Danneberg West Germany	Mac Wilkins United States	John Powell United States
1988 Seouldetails	Jürgen Schult East Germany	Romas Ubartas Soviet Union	Rolf Danneberg West Germany
1992 Barcelonadetails	Romas Ubartas Lithuania	Jürgen Schult Germany	Roberto Moya Cuba
1996 Atlantadetails	Lars Riedel Germany	Vladimir Dubrovshchik Belarus	Vasiliy Kaptyukh Belarus
2000 Sydneydetails	Virgilijus Alekna Lithuania	Lars Riedel Germany	Frantz Kruger South Africa
2004 Athensdetails	Virgilijus Alekna Lithuania	Zoltán Kővágó Hungary	Aleksander Tammert Estonia
2008 Beijingdetails	Gerd Kanter Estonia	Piotr Małachowski Poland	Virgilijus Alekna Lithuania
2012 Londondetails	Robert Harting Germany	Ehsan Haddadi Iran	Gerd Kanter Estonia
2016 Rio de Janeirodetails	Christoph Harting Germany	Piotr Małachowski Poland	Daniel Jasinski Germany
2020 Tokyodetails	Daniel Ståhl Sweden	Simon Pettersson Sweden	Lukas Weißhaidinger Austria
2024 Parisdetails	Roje Stona Jamaica	Mykolas Alekna Lithuania	Matthew Denny Australia

Women

[edit] edit

Games	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1928 Amsterdamdetails	Halina Konopacka Poland	Lillian Copeland United States	Ruth Svedberg Sweden
1932 Los Angelesdetails	Lillian Copeland United States	Ruth Osburn United States	Jadwiga Wajs Poland
1936 Berlindetails	Gisela Mauermayer Germany	Jadwiga Wajs Poland	Paula Mollenhauer Germany
1948 Londondetails	Micheline Ostermeyer France	Edera Gentile Italy	Jacqueline Mazéas France
1952 Helsinkidetails	Nina Romashkova Soviet Union	Yelisaveta Bagriantseva Soviet Union	Nina Dumbadze Soviet Union
1956 Melbournedetails	Olga Fikotová Czechoslovakia	Irina Beglyakova Soviet Union	Nina Romashkova Soviet Union
1960 Romedetails	Nina Romashkova Soviet Union	Tamara Press Soviet Union	Lia Manoliu Romania
1964 Tokyodetails	Tamara Press Soviet Union	Ingrid Lotz United Team of Germany	Lia Manoliu Romania
1968 Mexico Citydetails	Lia Manoliu Romania	Liesel Westermann West Germany	Jolán Kleiber-Kontsek Hungary
1972 Munichdetails	Faina Melnik Soviet Union	Argentina Menis Romania	Vasilka Stoeva Bulgaria
1976 Montrealdetails	Evelin Schlaak East Germany	Mariya Vergova Bulgaria	Gabriele Hinzmann East Germany
1980 Moscowdetails	Evelin Jahl East Germany	Mariya Petkova Bulgaria	Tatyana Lesovaya Soviet Union
1984 Los Angelesdetails	Ria Stalman Netherlands	Leslie Deniz United States	Florența Crăciunescu Romania
1988 Seouldetails	Martina Hellmann East Germany	Diana Gansky East Germany	Tsvetanka Khristova Bulgaria
1992 Barcelonadetails	Maritza Martén Cuba	Tsvetanka Khristova Bulgaria	Daniela Costian Australia
1996 Atlantadetails	Ilke Wyludda Germany	Natalya Sadova Russia	Ellina Zvereva Belarus
2000 Sydneydetails	Ellina Zvereva Belarus	Anastasia Kelesidou Greece	Iryna Yatchenko Belarus
2004 Athensdetails	Natalya Sadova Russia	Anastasia Kelesidou Greece	Věra Pospíšilová-Cechlová Czech Republic[43]
2008 Beijingdetails	Stephanie Brown Trafton United States	Olena Antonova Ukraine	Song Aimin China
2012 Londondetails	Sandra Perković Croatia	Li Yanfeng China	Yarelys Barrios Cuba
2016 Rio de Janeirodetails	Sandra Perković Croatia	Mélina Robert-Michon France	Denia Caballero Cuba
2020 Tokyodetails	Valarie Allman United States	Kristin Pudenz Germany	Yaime Pérez Cuba
2024 Parisdetails	Valarie Allman United States	Feng Bin China	Sandra Elkasević Croatia

World Championships medalists

[edit]

Men

[edit]

Championships	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1983 Helsinkidetails	Imrich Bugár (TCH)	Luis Delís (CUB)	Géjza Valent (TCH)
1987 Romedetails	Jürgen Schult (GDR)	John Powell (USA)	Luis Delís (CUB)
1991 Tokyodetails	Lars Riedel (GER)	Erik de Bruin (NED)	Attila Horváth (HUN)
1993 Stuttgartdetails	Lars Riedel (GER)	Dmitry Shevchenko (RUS)	Jürgen Schult (GER)
1995 Gothenburgdetails	Lars Riedel (GER)	Vladimir Dubrovshchik (BLR)	Vasiliy Kaptyukh (BLR)
1997 Athensdetails	Lars Riedel (GER)	Virgilijus Alekna (LTU)	Jürgen Schult (GER)
1999 Sevilledetails	Anthony Washington (USA)	Jürgen Schult (GER)	Lars Riedel (GER)
2001 Edmontondetails	Lars Riedel (GER)	Virgilijus Alekna (LTU)	Michael Möllenbeck (GER)
2003 Saint-Denisdetails	Virgilijus Alekna (LTU)	Róbert Fazekas (HUN)	Vasiliy Kaptyukh (BLR)
2005 Helsinkidetails	Virgilijus Alekna (LTU)	Gerd Kanter (EST)	Michael Möllenbeck (GER)
2007 Osakadetails	Gerd Kanter (EST)	Robert Harting (GER)	Rutger Smith (NED)
2009 Berlindetails	Robert Harting (GER)	Piotr Małachowski (POL)	Gerd Kanter (EST)
2011 Daegudetails	Robert Harting (GER)	Gerd Kanter (EST)	Ehsan Haddadi (IRI)
2013 Moscowdetails	Robert Harting (GER)	Piotr Małachowski (POL)	Gerd Kanter (EST)
2015 Beijingdetails	Piotr Małachowski (POL)	Philip Milanov (BEL)	Robert Urbanek (POL)
2017 Londondetails	Andrius Gudžius (LTU)	Daniel Ståhl (SWE)	Mason Finley (USA)
2019 Dohadetails	Daniel Ståhl (SWE)	Fedrick Dacres (JAM)	Lukas Weißhaidinger (AUT)
2022 Eugene details	Kristjan Čeh (SLO)	Mykolas Alekna (LTU)	Andrius Gudžius (LTU)
2023 Budapestdetails	Daniel Ståhl (SWE)	Kristjan Čeh (SLO)	Mykolas Alekna (LTU)
2025 Tokyodetails	Daniel Ståhl (SWE)	Mykolas Alekna (LTU)	Alex Rose (SAM)

Women

[edit]

Championships	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1983 Helsinkidetails	Martina Opitz (GDR)	Galina Murašova (URS)	Mariya Petkova (BUL)
1987 Romedetails	Martina Hellmann (GDR)	Diana Gansky (GDR)	Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL)
1991 Tokyodetails	Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL)	Ilke Wyludda (GER)	Larisa Mikhalchenko (URS)
1993 Stuttgartdetails	Olga Chernyavskaya (RUS)	Daniela Costian (AUS)	Min Chunfeng (CHN)
1995 Gothenburgdetails	Ellina Zvereva (BLR)	Ilke Wyludda (GER)	Olga Chernyavskaya (RUS)
1997 Athensdetails	Beatrice Faumuina (NZL)	Ellina Zvereva (BLR)	Natalya Sadova (RUS)
1999 Sevilledetails	Franka Dietzsch (GER)	Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE)	Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2001 Edmontondetails	Ellina Zvereva (BLR)	Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)	Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE)
2003 Saint-Denisdetails	Iryna Yatchenko (BLR)	Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE)	Ekaterini Voggoli (GRE)
2005 Helsinkidetails	Franka Dietzsch (GER)	Natalya Sadova (RUS)	Věra Pospíšilová-Cechlová (CZE)
2007 Osakadetails	Franka Dietzsch (GER)	Yarelis Barrios (CUB)	Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2009 Berlindetails	Dani Samuels (AUS)	Yarelis Barrios (CUB)	Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2011 Daegudetails	Li Yanfeng (CHN)	Nadine Müller (GER)	Yarelis Barrios (CUB)
2013 Moscowdetails	Sandra Perković (CRO)	Mélina Robert-Michon (FRA)	Yarelis Barrios (CUB)
2015 Beijingdetails	Denia Caballero (CUB)	Sandra Perković (CRO)	Nadine Müller (GER)
2017 Londondetails	Sandra Perković (CRO)	Dani Stevens (AUS)	Mélina Robert-Michon (FRA)
2019 Dohadetails	Yaime Pérez (CUB)	Denia Caballero (CUB)	Sandra Perković (CRO)
2022 Eugenedetails	Feng Bin (CHN)	Sandra Perković (CRO)	Valarie Allman (USA)
2023 Budapestdetails	Laulauga Tausaga (USA)	Valarie Allman (USA)	Feng Bin (CHN)
2025 Tokyodetails	Valarie Allman (USA)	Jorinde van Klinken (NED)	Silinda Morales (CUB)

Season's bests

[edit]

Men [edit] Year Mark Athlete Place 1968 68.40 m (224 ft 4 in)  Jay Silvester (USA) Reno 1969 68.06 m (223 ft 3 in)  Rickard Bruch (SWE) Malmö 1970 67.14 m (220 ft 3 in)  Rickard Bruch (SWE) Malmö 1971 70.38 m (230 ft 10 in)  Jay Silvester (USA) Lancaster 1972 68.40 m (224 ft 4 in)  Rickard Bruch (SWE) Stockholm 1973 67.58 m (221 ft 8 in)  Rickard Bruch (SWE) Skellefteå 1974 68.16 m (223 ft 7 in)  Rickard Bruch (SWE) Helsingborg 1975 69.08 m (226 ft 7 in)  John Powell (USA) Long Beach 1976 70.86 m (232 ft 5 in)  Mac Wilkins (USA) San Jose 1977 69.20 m (227 ft 0 in)  Mac Wilkins (USA) Westwood 1978 71.16 m (233 ft 5 in)  Wolfgang Schmidt (GER) Berlin 1979 70.66 m (231 ft 9 in)  Mac Wilkins (USA) Walnut 1980 70.98 m (232 ft 10 in)  Mac Wilkins (USA) Erfurt 1981 69.98 m (229 ft 7 in)  John Powell (USA) Modesto 1982 70.58 m (231 ft 6 in)  Luis Delís (CUB) Salinas 1983 71.86 m (235 ft 9 in)  Yuriy Dumchev (RUS) Moskva 1984 71.26 m (233 ft 9 in)  John Powell (USA) San Jose  Ricky Bruch (SWE) Malmö 1985 71.26 m (233 ft 9 in)  Imrich Bugár (TCH) San Jose 1986 74.08 m (243 ft 0 in)  Jürgen Schult (GER) Neubrandenburg 1987 69.52 m (228 ft 1 in)  Jürgen Schult (GER) Neubrandenburg 1988 70.46 m (231 ft 2 in)  Jürgen Schult (GDR) Berlin 1989 70.92 m (232 ft 8 in)  Wolfgang Schmidt (GER) Norden 1990 68.94 m (226 ft 2 in)  Romas Ubartas (LTU) Smalininkai 1991 69.36 m (227 ft 6 in)  Mike Buncic (USA) Fresno 1992 69.04 m (226 ft 6 in)  Jürgen Schult (GER) Halle 1993 68.42 m (224 ft 5 in)  Lars Riedel (GER) Jena 1994 68.58 m (225 ft 0 in)  Attila Horváth (HUN) Budapest 1995 69.08 m (226 ft 7 in)  Lars Riedel (GER) Bellinzona Monaco 1996 71.14 m (233 ft 4 in)  Anthony Washington (USA) Salinas 1997 71.50 m (234 ft 6 in)  Lars Riedel (GER) Wiesbaden 1998 69.91 m (229 ft 4 in)  John Godina (USA) Salinas 1999 69.18 m (226 ft 11 in)  Lars Riedel (GER) Jena 2000 73.88 m (242 ft 4 in)  Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Kaunas 2001 70.99 m (232 ft 10 in)  Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Stellenbosch 2002 71.70 m (235 ft 2 in)  Róbert Fazekas (HUN) Szombathely 2003 70.78 m (232 ft 2 in)  Róbert Fazekas (HUN) Budapest 2004 70.97 m (232 ft 10 in)  Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Rethimno 2005 70.67 m (231 ft 10 in)  Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Madrid 2006 73.38 m (240 ft 8 in)  Gerd Kanter (EST) Helsingborg 2007 72.02 m (236 ft 3 in)  Gerd Kanter (EST) Salinas 2008 71.88 m (235 ft 9 in)  Gerd Kanter (EST) Salinas 2009 71.64 m (235 ft 0 in)  Gerd Kanter (EST) Kohila 2010 71.45 m (234 ft 4 in)  Gerd Kanter (EST) Chula Vista 2011 69.50 m (228 ft 0 in)  Zoltán Kővágó (HUN) Budapest 2012 70.66 m (231 ft 9 in)  Robert Harting (GER) Turnov 2013 71.84 m (235 ft 8 in)  Piotr Małachowski (POL) Hengelo 2014 69.28 m (227 ft 3 in)  Piotr Małachowski (POL) Halle 2015 68.29 m (224 ft 0 in)  Piotr Małachowski (POL) Cetniewo 2016 68.72 m (225 ft 5 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Sollentuna 2017 71.29 m (233 ft 10 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Sollentuna 2018 69.72 m (228 ft 8 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Eskilstuna 2019 71.86 m (235 ft 9 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Bottnaryd 2020 71.37 m (234 ft 1 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Sollentuna 2021 71.40 m (234 ft 3 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Bottnaryd 2022 71.47 m (234 ft 5 in)  Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Uppsala 2023 71.86 m (235 ft 9 in)  Kristjan Čeh (SLO) Jöhvi 2024 74.35 m (243 ft 11 in)  Mykolas Alekna (LIT) Ramona 2025 75.56 m (247 ft 10 in)  Mykolas Alekna (LIT) Ramona

Women [edit] Year Mark Athlete Place 1968 62.54 m (205 ft 2 in)  Liesel Westermann (FRG) Werdohl 1969 63.96 m (209 ft 10 in)  Liesel Westermann (FRG) Hamburg 1970 63.66 m (208 ft 10 in)  Karin Illgen (GDR) Leipzig 1971 64.88 m (212 ft 10 in)  Faina Melnik (URS) Munich 1972 67.32 m (220 ft 10 in)  Argentina Menis (ROU) Constanța 1973 69.48 m (227 ft 11 in)  Faina Melnik (URS) Edinburgh 1974 69.90 m (229 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS) Prague 1975 70.20 m (230 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS) Zürich 1976 70.50 m (231 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS) Sochi 1977 68.92 m (226 ft 1 in)  Sabine Engel (GDR) Karl-Marx-Stadt 1978 70.72 m (232 ft 0 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR) Dresden 1979 69.82 m (229 ft 0 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR) Leipzig 1980 71.80 m (235 ft 6 in)  Mariya Petkova (BUL) Sofia 1981 71.46 m (234 ft 5 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR) Berlin 1982 71.40 m (234 ft 3 in)  Irina Meszynski (GDR) Karl-Marx-Stadt 1983 73.26 m (240 ft 4 in)  Galina Savinkova (URS) Leselidze 1984 74.56 m (244 ft 7 in)  Zdeňka Šilhavá (TCH) Nitra 1985 72.96 m (239 ft 4 in)  Galina Savinkova (URS) Erfurt 1986 73.26 m (240 ft 4 in)  Diana Gansky (GDR) Neubrandenburg 1987 74.08 m (243 ft 0 in)  Diana Gansky (GDR) Karl-Marx-Stadt 1988 76.80 m (251 ft 11 in)  Gabriele Reinsch (GDR) Neubrandenburg 1989 74.56 m (244 ft 7 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GDR) Neubrandenburg 1990 71.10 m (233 ft 3 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GDR) Tel Aviv 1991 71.02 m (233 ft 0 in)  Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL) Tokyo 1992 71.68 m (235 ft 2 in)  Xiao Yanling (CHN) Beijing 1993 68.14 m (223 ft 6 in)  Larisa Korotkevich (RUS) Vénissieux 1994 68.58 m (225 ft 0 in)  Daniela Costian (AUS) Auckland 1995 69.68 m (228 ft 7 in)  Mette Bergmann (NOR) Florø 1996 69.66 m (228 ft 6 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GER) Atlanta 1997 70.00 m (229 ft 7 in)  Xiao Yanling (CHN) Shanghai 1998 68.91 m (226 ft 0 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER) Stendal 1999 70.02 m (229 ft 8 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS) Thessaloníki 2000 68.70 m (225 ft 4 in)  Nicoleta Grasu (ROU) Bucharest 2001 68.57 m (224 ft 11 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS) Edmonton 2002 67.73 m (222 ft 2 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS) Tula 2003 69.38 m (227 ft 7 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS) Halle 2004 69.14 m (226 ft 10 in)  Irina Yatchenko (BLR) Minsk 2005 66.81 m (219 ft 2 in)  Vera Cechlová (CZE) Madrid 2006 68.51 m (224 ft 9 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER) Schönebeck 2007 68.06 m (223 ft 3 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER) Halle 2008 66.51 m (218 ft 2 in)  Nicoleta Grasu (ROU) Istanbul 2009 66.40 m (217 ft 10 in)  Li Yanfeng (CHN) Jinan 2010 67.78 m (222 ft 4 in)  Nadine Müller (GER) Wiesbaden 2011 67.98 m (223 ft 0 in)  Li Yanfeng (CHN) Schönebeck 2012 69.11 m (226 ft 8 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) London 2013 68.96 m (226 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) Lausanne 2014 71.08 m (233 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) Zürich 2015 70.65 m (231 ft 9 in)  Denia Caballero (CUB) Bilbao 2016 70.88 m (232 ft 6 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) Shanghai 2017 71.41 m (234 ft 3 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) Barcelona 2018 71.38 m (234 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO) Doha 2019 69.39 m (227 ft 7 in)  Yaime Pérez (CUB) Sotteville 2020 70.15 m (230 ft 1 in)  Valarie Allman (USA) Rathdrum 2021 71.16 m (233 ft 5 in)  Valarie Allman (USA) Berlin 2022 71.46 m (234 ft 5 in)  Valarie Allman (USA) San Diego 2023 70.47 m (231 ft 2 in)  Valarie Allman (USA) Berlin 2024 73.09 m (239 ft 9 in)  Yaime Pérez (CUB) Ramona 2025 73.52 m (241 ft 2 in)  Valarie Allman (USA) Ramona

See also

[edit]

• List of discus throw national champions (men)
• United States champions in women's discus throw
• Sport of athletics portal

Notes and references

[edit]

1. ^ "Sports – List of Summer and Winter Olympic Sports". olympic.org. 14 January 2018.
2. ^ "Discus Throwing | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
3. ^ "History of Discus". www.discusnada.org. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
4. ^ "Discus Throw". site.dev.aws.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
5. ^ "Henry E. Canine resigns as mentor at high school in Aledo". The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa). August 30, 1938. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
6. ^ "Track and Field Throwing Implement Weight Requirements Rules". www.everythingtrackandfield.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
7. ^ "Book of Rules | Official Documents". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
8. ^ "The Rules and Regulations Every Discus Thrower Should Be Aware Of". Sports Aspire. 2009-11-04. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
9. ^ "Kanter throws 69.51m world indoor best in Växjö | NEWS | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
10. ^ "Indoor track to be renamed short track by World Athletics". NBC Sports. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
11. ^ Rosenbaum, Mike (2018-12-11). "How to Throw a Discus Step-By-Step". LiveAbout. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
12. ^ Cappos, Scott. "Shot Put and Discus Technique and Training". Digital Track and Field.
13. ^ a b throwhammer (13 September 2010). "wyludda discus throw 1996 olympics". Archived from the original on 2021-10-31 – via YouTube.
14. ^ Power position Archived 2015-04-06 at the Wayback Machine, about.com
15. ^ ntujavelin (26 December 2008). "2005 World Championship Men's Discus - 1st Virgilijus Alekna". Archived from the original on 2021-10-31 – via YouTube.
16. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
17. ^ Discus Throw - men - senior - outdoor. IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-01-20.
18. ^ "All-time men's best Discus Throw". alltime-athletics.com. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
19. ^ a b c d e "Alekna shatters discus world record with 75.56m in Ramona". World Athletics. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
20. ^ "FLASH: Alekna breaks discus world record with 74.35m in Oklahoma | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
21. ^ a b c "Denny threatens world discus record with 74.25m in Ramona". World Athletics. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
22. ^ "Discus Throw Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
23. ^ "75. Boris Hanžeković Memorial Men's Discus Throw results" (PDF). atletika.cz. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
24. ^ "Karalis clears 6.08m in Volos as records fall around the world, athletes target Tokyo". worldathletics. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
25. ^ "Discus Throw Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
26. ^ "Discus Throw Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
27. ^ Paul Reid (16 August 2025). "Ralford Mullings shatters Jamaican men's discus record". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
28. ^ "Stahl goes to equal fourth on the world all-time discus list with 71.86m". European Athletics. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
29. ^ a b "Ceh and Stahl throw beyond 71 metres in Jöhvi". World Athletics. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
30. ^ "Wanda Diamond League London | Discus Throw Men | Results" (PDF). Diamond League. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
31. ^ "Ta Lou-Smith among athletes to shine at Jamaica Athletics Invitational". World Athletics. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
32. ^ "Ben Plucknett World Athletics Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
33. ^ "Discus Throw Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 16 June 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-06-23. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
34. ^ "10cm short of WR! Australian Matthew Denny achieves second-best throw in discus history". foxsports.com.au. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
35. ^ "FLASH: Alekna breaks discus world record with 74.35m in Oklahoma". 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
36. ^ Bob Ramsak (3 May 2019). "Stahl sends discus beyond 70 metres in Doha – IAAF Diamond League". IAAF. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
37. ^ Discus Throw - women - senior - outdoor. IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-01-20.
38. ^ "All-time women's best Discus Throw". alltime-athletics.com. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
39. ^ a b "Allman throws 73.52m North American discus record in Ramona". World Athletics. 12 April 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
40. ^ "Perez launches discus 73.09m, Sears clocks 10.77 for 100m | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
41. ^ Diego Sampaolo (19 July 2017). "Perkovic throws 71.41m in Bellinzona, world's best discus mark since 1992". IAAF. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
42. ^ "Denia Caballero sets Discus world lead of 70.65, Pichardo debuts in long jump". watchathletics.com. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
43. ^ Day 2 of IOC Executive Board meeting in St. Petersburg . Olympic (2013-05-30). Retrieved on 2014-04-19.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Discus throw.

• World Record
• Discus History
• IAAF list of discus-throw records in XML

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