Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna has launched himself into the record books with a mind-blowing performance that has stunned the athletics world. At a local meet in Oklahoma, the 21-year-old became the first man in history to throw the discus beyond the 75-metre mark, registering an earth-shattering 75.23 metres to shatter the previous world record.
Alekna, the son of legendary two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna, had long been touted as the next big thing in discus throw. But on this historic day, he stepped out of his father’s shadow and created a legacy of his own.
“It feels surreal. Breaking the 75m mark has always been the dream — today, that dream became a reality,” said Alekna, moments after the throw.
The previous world record of 74.08 metres, set by Jürgen Schult of East Germany in 1986, stood untouched for nearly 39 years. Schult’s record was the longest-standing world record in men’s athletics — until Alekna rewrote history with a monstrous heave that sent shockwaves across the sporting community.
The record-breaking throw came during Alekna’s fifth attempt. The stadium erupted as the discus soared through the air, landing well past the marked barrier set at 75m — something never achieved in the sport’s history.
His series of throws for the day read: 71.60m, 72.45m, 74.02m, foul, 75.23m, 74.35m, showcasing his consistency and sheer dominance. Athletes, commentators, and fans around the world poured in with praise.
Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President, tweeted: “A monumental achievement! Congratulations to Alekna for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Daniel Ståhl, 2019 world champion, called the performance “out of this world” and “a turning point in the sport.”
Alekna’s record now places him as the heavy favorite going into the Paris 2025 World Athletics Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With youth on his side, analysts believe he could push the record even further in the coming years.
As Lithuania celebrates its new global sporting hero, one thing is certain — Mykolas Alekna has redefined the limits of human performance in discus throw.
