Canada’s hammer throw sensation, Ethan Katzberg, has cemented his status as the most dominant figure in the event, successfully defending his world title with a record-breaking throw at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 23-year-old launched the hammer an incredible 84.70m, setting a new championship and North American record.
Katzberg, who previously won the world title in Budapest in 2023 and the Olympic title in Paris in 2024, arrived in the final as the top qualifier. He got off to a strong start with an opening throw of 82.66m, but was briefly pushed into second place by Germany’s Merlin Hummel, who threw a personal best of 82.77m.
Undeterred, Katzberg unleashed his record-breaking throw on his second attempt, sending the hammer soaring to a mark that stood as the longest in the world in 20 years. All six of his throws in the final surpassed his winning distance from the 2023 World Championships (81.25m), demonstrating his exceptional consistency and control. His subsequent throws of 82.01m, 81.86m, 83.07m, and 83.73m would have all been good enough to win the gold.
“I can’t ask for much more,” said Katzberg after the win. “The whole field was gunning for it and these were incredible results with four guys over 82 meters. That really pushed me to get the result that I had today.”
Katzberg’s victory also completed a remarkable Canadian hammer throw sweep at the World Championships, as his compatriot, Camryn Rogers, had won the women’s title. This marks the third consecutive global championship where Canada has claimed both the men’s and women’s hammer throw gold medals.
Merlin Hummel’s valiant effort secured him the silver medal, while Hungary’s Bence Halász took home the bronze for the third consecutive World Championships with an impressive throw of 82.69m. Despite a personal best of 82.02m, Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan finished just off the podium in fourth place in a final that will be remembered for its exceptional quality and depth.
