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Discus throw

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Athletics
Discus throw
Image
German 2012 Olympic champion Robert Harting
World records
MenImage Mykolas Alekna (LTU) 75.56 m (247 ft 10 in) (2025)
WomenImage Gabriele Reinsch (GDR) 76.80 m (251 ft 11 in) (1988)
Olympic records
MenImage Roje Stona (JAM) 70.00 m (229 ft 7 in) (2024)
WomenImage Martina Hellmann (GDR) 72.30 m (237 ft 2 in) (1988)
World Championship records
MenImage Daniel Ståhl (SWE) 71.46 m (234 ft 5 in) (2023)
WomenImage 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]
Image
Modern copy of the Diskophoros, attributed to Alkamenes

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.

Image
The main poster for the 1920 Summer Olympics

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
Image
Discus (2 kg), World Athletics certified for competitions
Image
Side view
Image
Longitudinal section (schematic)

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+14 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+12 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]

Image
Discus-thrower, tondo of a kylix by the Kleomelos Painter, Louvre Museum
Image
Modern copy of Myron's Discobolus in University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden, Denmark

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]

Image
Rutger Smith in phases of the discus throw

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]
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]
Ath.# Perf.# Mark Athlete Nation Date Place Ref.
1 1 75.56 m (247 ft 10 in) Mykolas Alekna Image 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 Image 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 Image East Germany 6 June 1986 Neubrandenburg
4 7 73.88 m (242 ft 4 in) Virgilijus Alekna Image Lithuania 3 August 2000 Kaunas
5 8 73.38 m (240 ft 8 in) Gerd Kanter Image Estonia 4 September 2006 Helsingborg
6 9 72.36 m (237 ft 4 in) Kristjan Čeh Image 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 Image 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 Image Soviet Union 29 May 1983 Moscow
Daniel Ståhl Image 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 Image Poland 8 June 2013 Hengelo
11 22 71.70 m (235 ft 2 in) Róbert Fazekas Image 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 Image Germany 3 May 1997 Wiesbaden
13 71.48 m (234 ft 6 in) Alex Rose Image Samoa 11 May 2024 Allendale [31]
14 71.32 m (233 ft 11 in) Ben Plucknett Image United States 4 June 1983 Eugene [32]
15 71.27 m (233 ft 9 in) Sam Mattis Image United States 13 April 2025 Ramona [19]
16 71.26 m (233 ft 9 in) John Powell Image United States 9 June 1984 San Jose
Rickard Bruch Image Sweden 15 November 1984 Malmö
Imrich Bugár Image Czechoslovakia 25 May 1985 San Jose
19 71.18 m (233 ft 6 in) Art Burns Image United States 19 July 1983 San Jose
20 71.16 m (233 ft 5 in) Wolfgang Schmidt Image East Germany 9 August 1978 Berlin
21 71.14 m (233 ft 4 in) Anthony Washington Image United States 22 May 1996 Salinas
22 71.06 m (233 ft 1 in) Luis Delís Image Cuba 21 May 1983 Havana
23 71.01 m (232 ft 11 in) Clemens Prüfer Image Germany 13 April 2025 Ramona [19]
24 70.98 m (232 ft 10 in) Mac Wilkins Image United States 9 July 1980 Helsinki
25 70.82 m (232 ft 4 in) Aleksander Tammert Image 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.
[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]
Ath.# Perf.# Mark Athlete Nation Date Place Ref.
1 1 76.80 m (251 ft 11 in) Gabriele Reinsch Image East Germany 9 July 1988 Neubrandenburg
2 2 74.56 m (244 ft 7 in) Zdeňka Šilhavá Image Czechoslovakia 26 August 1984 Nitra
Ilke Wyludda Image 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 Image 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 Image 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 Image 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 Image 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 Image 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 Image 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 Image East Germany 20 July 1984 Berlin
11 21 73.09 m (239 ft 9 in) Yaime Pérez Image 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 Image East Germany 20 August 1987 Potsdam
13 72.14 m (236 ft 8 in) Galina Murashova Image Soviet Union 17 August 1984 Prague
14 71.80 m (235 ft 6 in) Mariya Vergova Image Bulgaria 13 July 1980 Sofia
15 71.68 m (235 ft 2 in) Xiao Yanling Image China 14 March 1992 Beijing
16 71.58 m (234 ft 10 in) Ellina Zvereva Image Soviet Union 12 June 1988 Leningrad
17 71.50 m (234 ft 6 in) Evelin Jahl Image East Germany 10 May 1980 Potsdam
18 71.41 m (234 ft 3 in) Sandra Perković Image Croatia 18 July 2017 Bellinzona [41]
19 71.30 m (233 ft 11 in) Larisa Korotkevich Image Russia 29 May 1992 Sochi
20 71.22 m (233 ft 7 in) Ria Stalman Image Netherlands 15 July 1984 Walnut
21 70.88 m (232 ft 6 in) Hilda Ramos Image Cuba 8 May 1992 Havana
22 70.80 m (232 ft 3 in) Larisa Mikhalchenko Image Soviet Union 18 June 1988 Kharkiv
23 70.72 m (232 ft 0 in) Laulauga Tausaga Image United States 12 April 2025 Ramona [39]
24 70.68 m (231 ft 10 in) Maritza Martén Image Cuba 18 July 1992 Seville
25 70.65 m (231 ft 9 in) Denia Caballero Image 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.
[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]
Games Gold Silver Bronze
1896 Athens
details
Robert Garrett
Image United States
Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos
Image Greece
Sotirios Versis
Image Greece
1900 Paris
details
Rudolf Bauer
Image Hungary
František Janda-Suk
Image Bohemia
Richard Sheldon
Image United States
1904 St. Louis
details
Martin Sheridan
Image United States
Ralph Rose
Image United States
Nikolaos Georgantas
Image Greece
1908 London
details
Martin Sheridan
Image United States
Merritt Giffin
Image United States
Bill Horr
Image United States
1912 Stockholm
details
Armas Taipale
Image Finland
Richard Byrd
Image United States
James Duncan
Image United States
1920 Antwerp
details
Elmer Niklander
Image Finland
Armas Taipale
Image Finland
Gus Pope
Image United States
1924 Paris
details
Bud Houser
Image United States
Vilho Niittymaa
Image Finland
Thomas Lieb
Image United States
1928 Amsterdam
details
Bud Houser
Image United States
Antero Kivi
Image Finland
James Corson
Image United States
1932 Los Angeles
details
John Anderson
Image United States
Henri LaBorde
Image United States
Paul Winter
Image France
1936 Berlin
details
Ken Carpenter
Image United States
Gordon Dunn
Image United States
Giorgio Oberweger
Image Italy
1948 London
details
Adolfo Consolini
Image Italy
Giuseppe Tosi
Image Italy
Fortune Gordien
Image United States
1952 Helsinki
details
Sim Iness
Image United States
Adolfo Consolini
Image Italy
James Dillion
Image United States
1956 Melbourne
details
Al Oerter
Image United States
Fortune Gordien
Image United States
Des Koch
Image United States
1960 Rome
details
Al Oerter
Image United States
Rink Babka
Image United States
Dick Cochran
Image United States
1964 Tokyo
details
Al Oerter
Image United States
Ludvík Daněk
Image Czechoslovakia
Dave Weill
Image United States
1968 Mexico City
details
Al Oerter
Image United States
Lothar Milde
Image East Germany
Ludvík Daněk
Image Czechoslovakia
1972 Munich
details
Ludvík Daněk
Image Czechoslovakia
Jay Silvester
Image United States
Ricky Bruch
Image Sweden
1976 Montreal
details
Mac Wilkins
Image United States
Wolfgang Schmidt
Image East Germany
John Powell
Image United States
1980 Moscow
details
Viktor Rashchupkin
Image Soviet Union
Imrich Bugár
Image Czechoslovakia
Luis Delís
Image Cuba
1984 Los Angeles
details
Rolf Danneberg
Image West Germany
Mac Wilkins
Image United States
John Powell
Image United States
1988 Seoul
details
Jürgen Schult
Image East Germany
Romas Ubartas
Image Soviet Union
Rolf Danneberg
Image West Germany
1992 Barcelona
details
Romas Ubartas
Image Lithuania
Jürgen Schult
Image Germany
Roberto Moya
Image Cuba
1996 Atlanta
details
Lars Riedel
Image Germany
Vladimir Dubrovshchik
Image Belarus
Vasiliy Kaptyukh
Image Belarus
2000 Sydney
details
Virgilijus Alekna
Image Lithuania
Lars Riedel
Image Germany
Frantz Kruger
Image South Africa
2004 Athens
details
Virgilijus Alekna
Image Lithuania
Zoltán Kővágó
Image Hungary
Aleksander Tammert
Image Estonia
2008 Beijing
details
Gerd Kanter
Image Estonia
Piotr Małachowski
Image Poland
Virgilijus Alekna
Image Lithuania
2012 London
details
Robert Harting
Image Germany
Ehsan Haddadi
Image Iran
Gerd Kanter
Image Estonia
2016 Rio de Janeiro
details
Christoph Harting
Image Germany
Piotr Małachowski
Image Poland
Daniel Jasinski
Image Germany
2020 Tokyo
details
Daniel Ståhl
Image Sweden
Simon Pettersson
Image Sweden
Lukas Weißhaidinger
Image Austria
2024 Paris
details
Roje Stona
Image Jamaica
Mykolas Alekna
Image Lithuania
Matthew Denny
Image Australia

Women

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

World Championships medalists

[edit]

Men

[edit]
Championships Gold Silver Bronze
1983 Helsinki
details
Image Imrich Bugár (TCH) Image Luis Delís (CUB) Image Géjza Valent (TCH)
1987 Rome
details
Image Jürgen Schult (GDR) Image John Powell (USA) Image Luis Delís (CUB)
1991 Tokyo
details
Image Lars Riedel (GER) Image Erik de Bruin (NED) Image Attila Horváth (HUN)
1993 Stuttgart
details
Image Lars Riedel (GER) Image Dmitry Shevchenko (RUS) Image Jürgen Schult (GER)
1995 Gothenburg
details
Image Lars Riedel (GER) Image Vladimir Dubrovshchik (BLR) Image Vasiliy Kaptyukh (BLR)
1997 Athens
details
Image Lars Riedel (GER) Image Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Image Jürgen Schult (GER)
1999 Seville
details
Image Anthony Washington (USA) Image Jürgen Schult (GER) Image Lars Riedel (GER)
2001 Edmonton
details
Image Lars Riedel (GER) Image Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Image Michael Möllenbeck (GER)
2003 Saint-Denis
details
Image Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Image Róbert Fazekas (HUN) Image Vasiliy Kaptyukh (BLR)
2005 Helsinki
details
Image Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) Image Gerd Kanter (EST) Image Michael Möllenbeck (GER)
2007 Osaka
details
Image Gerd Kanter (EST) Image Robert Harting (GER) Image Rutger Smith (NED)
2009 Berlin
details
Image Robert Harting (GER) Image Piotr Małachowski (POL) Image Gerd Kanter (EST)
2011 Daegu
details
Image Robert Harting (GER) Image Gerd Kanter (EST) Image Ehsan Haddadi (IRI)
2013 Moscow
details
Image Robert Harting (GER) Image Piotr Małachowski (POL) Image Gerd Kanter (EST)
2015 Beijing
details
Image Piotr Małachowski (POL) Image Philip Milanov (BEL) Image Robert Urbanek (POL)
2017 London
details
Image Andrius Gudžius (LTU) Image Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Image Mason Finley (USA)
2019 Doha
details
Image Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Image Fedrick Dacres (JAM) Image Lukas Weißhaidinger (AUT)
2022 Eugene
details
Image Kristjan Čeh (SLO) Image Mykolas Alekna (LTU) Image Andrius Gudžius (LTU)
2023 Budapest
details
Image Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Image Kristjan Čeh (SLO) Image Mykolas Alekna (LTU)
2025 Tokyo
details
Image Daniel Ståhl (SWE) Image Mykolas Alekna (LTU) Image Alex Rose (SAM)

Women

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Championships Gold Silver Bronze
1983 Helsinki
details
Image Martina Opitz (GDR) Image Galina Murašova (URS) Image Mariya Petkova (BUL)
1987 Rome
details
Image Martina Hellmann (GDR) Image Diana Gansky (GDR) Image Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL)
1991 Tokyo
details
Image Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL) Image Ilke Wyludda (GER) Image Larisa Mikhalchenko (URS)
1993 Stuttgart
details
Image Olga Chernyavskaya (RUS) Image Daniela Costian (AUS) Image Min Chunfeng (CHN)
1995 Gothenburg
details
Image Ellina Zvereva (BLR) Image Ilke Wyludda (GER) Image Olga Chernyavskaya (RUS)
1997 Athens
details
Image Beatrice Faumuina (NZL) Image Ellina Zvereva (BLR) Image Natalya Sadova (RUS)
1999 Seville
details
Image Franka Dietzsch (GER) Image Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE) Image Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2001 Edmonton
details
Image Ellina Zvereva (BLR) Image Nicoleta Grasu (ROU) Image Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE)
2003 Saint-Denis
details
Image Iryna Yatchenko (BLR) Image Anastasia Kelesidou (GRE) Image Ekaterini Voggoli (GRE)
2005 Helsinki
details
Image Franka Dietzsch (GER) Image Natalya Sadova (RUS) Image Věra Pospíšilová-Cechlová (CZE)
2007 Osaka
details
Image Franka Dietzsch (GER) Image Yarelis Barrios (CUB) Image Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2009 Berlin
details
Image Dani Samuels (AUS) Image Yarelis Barrios (CUB) Image Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)
2011 Daegu
details
Image Li Yanfeng (CHN) Image Nadine Müller (GER) Image Yarelis Barrios (CUB)
2013 Moscow
details
Image Sandra Perković (CRO) Image Mélina Robert-Michon (FRA) Image Yarelis Barrios (CUB)
2015 Beijing
details
Image Denia Caballero (CUB) Image Sandra Perković (CRO) Image Nadine Müller (GER)
2017 London
details
Image Sandra Perković (CRO) Image Dani Stevens (AUS) Image Mélina Robert-Michon (FRA)
2019 Doha
details
Image Yaime Pérez (CUB) Image Denia Caballero (CUB) Image Sandra Perković (CRO)
2022 Eugene
details
Image Feng Bin (CHN) Image Sandra Perković (CRO) Image Valarie Allman (USA)
2023 Budapest
details
Image Laulauga Tausaga (USA) Image Valarie Allman (USA) Image Feng Bin (CHN)
2025 Tokyo
details
Image Valarie Allman (USA) Image Jorinde van Klinken (NED) Image Silinda Morales (CUB)

Season's bests

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See also

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Notes and references

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  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.
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