Discus throw

(Redirected from Discus thrower)

The discus throw (), also known as disc throw, is a track and field sport in which the participant athlete throws an oblate spheroid weight — called a discus — in an attempt to mark a farther 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.

Athletics
Discus throw
German 2012 Olympic champion Robert Harting.
World records
Men Mykolas Alekna (LTU) 74.35 m (243 ft 11 in) (2024)
Women Gabriele Reinsch (GDR) 76.80 m (251 ft 11 in) (1988)
Olympic records
Men Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) 69.89 m (229 ft 3 in) (2004)
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)

History

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.

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 famous statue of Discobolus. After only one 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

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]
AgeMenWomen
High School1.6 kg1 kg
Collegiate2 kg1 kg
Professional2 kg1 kg
Master's (35-59)1.5 kg1 kg
Master's (60-74)1 kg1 kg
Master's (75+)1 kg0.75 kg
International Weights[7]
AgeMenWomen
≤171.5 kg1 kg
18-191.75 kg1 kg
20-492 kg1 kg
50-591.5 kg1 kg
60-741 kg1 kg
75+1 kg0.75 kg
Discus (2 kg), World Athletics certified for competitions
Side view
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 2.5 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]

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

Phases

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]

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

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

Men

Ath.#Perf.#MarkAthleteNationDatePlaceRef.
1174.35 m (243 ft 11 in)Mykolas Alekna  Lithuania14 April 2024Ramona[19]
2274.08 m (243 ft 0 in)Jürgen Schult  East Germany6 June 1986Neubrandenburg
3373.88 m (242 ft 4 in)Virgilijus Alekna  Lithuania3 August 2000Kaunas
4473.38 m (240 ft 8 in)Gerd Kanter  Estonia4 September 2006Helsingborg
572.02 m (236 ft 3 in)Kanter #23 May 2007Salinas
671.88 m (235 ft 9 in)Kanter #38 May 2008Salinas
5771.86 m (235 ft 9 in)Yuriy Dumchev  Soviet Union29 May 1983Moscow
Daniel Ståhl  Sweden29 June 2019Bottnaryd[20]
Kristjan Čeh  Slovenia16 June 2023Jõhvi[21]
81071.84 m (235 ft 8 in)Piotr Małachowski  Poland8 June 2013Hengelo
91171.70 m (235 ft 2 in)Róbert Fazekas  Hungary14 July 2002Szombathely
1271.64 m (235 ft 0 in)Kanter #425 June 2009Kohila
1371.56 m (234 ft 9 in)V. Alekna #225 July 2007Kaunas
101471.50 m (234 ft 6 in)Lars Riedel  Germany3 May 1997Wiesbaden
1571.47 m (234 ft 5 in)Ståhl #221 June 2022Uppsala[22]
1671.46 m (234 ft 5 in)Ståhl #321 August 2023Budapest[23]
1771.45 m (234 ft 4 in)Kanter #529 April 2010Chula Vista
Ståhl #416 June 2023Jõhvi[21]
1971.40 m (234 ft 3 in)Ståhl #510 July 2021Bottnaryd
2071.39 m (234 ft 2 in)M. Alekna #26 April 2024Berkeley[24]
2171.37 m (234 ft 1 in)Ståhl #610 August 2020Sollentuna
112271.32 m (233 ft 11 in)Ben Plucknett  United States4 June 1983Eugene
2371.29 m (233 ft 10 in)Ståhl #729 June 2017Sollentuna
2471.27 m (233 ft 9 in)Čeh #221 May 2022Birmingham[25]
122571.26 m (233 ft 9 in)John Powell  United States9 June 1984San Jose
Rickard Bruch  Sweden15 November 1984Malmö
Imrich Bugár  Czechoslovakia25 May 1985San Jose
1571.18 m (233 ft 6 in)Art Burns  United States19 July 1983San Jose
1671.16 m (233 ft 5 in)Wolfgang Schmidt  East Germany9 August 1978Berlin
1771.14 m (233 ft 4 in)Anthony Washington  United States22 May 1996Salinas
1871.06 m (233 ft 1 in)Luis Delís  Cuba21 May 1983Havana
1970.98 m (232 ft 10 in)Mac Wilkins  United States9 July 1980Helsinki
2070.82 m (232 ft 4 in)Aleksander Tammert  Estonia15 April 2006Denton
2170.78 m (232 ft 2 in)Fedrick Dacres  Jamaica16 June 2019Rabat[26]
2270.68 m (231 ft 10 in)Lukas Weißhaidinger  Austria19 May 2023Schwechat[27]
2370.66 m (231 ft 9 in)Robert Harting  Germany22 May 2012Turnov
2470.54 m (231 ft 5 in)Dmitriy Shevchenko  Russia7 May 2002Krasnodar
2570.42 m (231 ft 0 in)Simon Pettersson  Sweden6 August 2022Norrköping[28]

Notable series

  • Mykolas Alekna had throws of 72.71, 72.89 and 74.35, initially measured as 74.41, 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.[29]
  • 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.[21]
  • 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.[30]

Annulled marks

  • 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

  • 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

Ath.#Perf.#MarkAthleteNationDatePlaceRef.
1176.80 m (251 ft 11 in)Gabriele Reinsch  East Germany9 July 1988Neubrandenburg
2274.56 m (244 ft 7 in)Zdeňka Šilhavá  Czechoslovakia26 August 1984Nitra
Ilke Wyludda  East Germany23 July 1989Neubrandenburg
474.44 m (244 ft 2 in)Reinsch #213 September 1988Berlin
574.40 m (244 ft 1 in)Wyludda #213 September 1988Berlin
4674.08 m (243 ft 0 in)Diana Gansky  East Germany20 June 1987Karl-Marx-Stadt
773.90 m (242 ft 5 in)Gansky #227 June 1987Prague
873.42 m (240 ft 10 in)Reinsch #312 June 1988Karl-Marx-Stadt
5973.36 m (240 ft 8 in)Irina Meszynski  East Germany17 August 1984Prague
1073.32 m (240 ft 6 in)Gansky #211 June 1987Neubrandenburg
61173.28 m (240 ft 5 in)Galina Savinkova  Soviet Union8 September 1984Donetsk
1273.26 m (240 ft 4 in)Savinkova #222 May 1983Leselidze
Gansky #36 June 1986Neubrandenburg
1473.24 m (240 ft 3 in)Gansky #429 May 1987Leipzig
71573.22 m (240 ft 2 in)Tsvetanka Khristova  Bulgaria19 April 1987Kazanlak
1673.16 m (240 ft 0 in)Wyludda #313 September 1988Berlin
81773.10 m (239 ft 9 in)Gisela Beyer  East Germany20 July 1984Berlin
91873.09 m (239 ft 9 in)Yaime Pérez  Cuba13 April 2024Ramona[33]
1973.04 m (239 ft 7 in)Gansky #56 June 1987Potsdam
Wyludda #45 August 1989Gateshead
2172.96 m (239 ft 4 in)Savinkova #323 June 1985Erfurt
2272.94 m (239 ft 3 in)Gansky #69 July 1988Neubrandenburg
102372.92 m (239 ft 2 in)Martina Hellmann  East Germany20 August 1987Potsdam
2472.78 m (238 ft 9 in)Hellmann #211 June 1987Neubrandenburg
Reinsch #429 June 1988Berlin
1172.14 m (236 ft 8 in)Galina Murashova  Soviet Union17 August 1984Prague
1271.80 m (235 ft 6 in)Mariya Vergova  Bulgaria13 July 1980Sofia
1371.68 m (235 ft 2 in)Xiao Yanling  China14 March 1992Beijing
1471.58 m (234 ft 10 in)Ellina Zvereva  Soviet Union12 June 1988Leningrad
1571.50 m (234 ft 6 in)Evelin Jahl  East Germany10 May 1980Potsdam
1671.46 m (234 ft 5 in)Valarie Allman  United States8 April 2022San Diego[34]
1771.41 m (234 ft 3 in)Sandra Perković  Croatia18 July 2017Bellinzona[35]
1871.30 m (233 ft 11 in)Larisa Korotkevich  Russia29 May 1992Sochi
1971.22 m (233 ft 7 in)Ria Stalman  Netherlands15 July 1984Walnut
2070.88 m (232 ft 6 in)Hilda Ramos  Cuba8 May 1992Havana
2170.80 m (232 ft 3 in)Larisa Mikhalchenko  Soviet Union18 June 1988Kharkiv
2270.68 m (231 ft 10 in)Maritza Martén  Cuba18 July 1992Seville
2370.65 m (231 ft 9 in)Denia Caballero  Cuba20 June 2015Bilbao[36]
2470.50 m (231 ft 3 in)Faina Melnik  Soviet Union24 April 1976Sochi
2570.34 m (230 ft 9 in)Silvia Madetzky  East Germany16 May 1988Athens

Annulled marks

  • 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

  • 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

Men

GamesGoldSilverBronze
1896 Athens
details
Robert Garrett
 United States
Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos
 Greece
Sotirios Versis
 Greece
1900 Paris
details
Rudolf Bauer
 Hungary
František Janda-Suk
 Bohemia
Richard Sheldon
 United States
1904 St. Louis
details
Martin Sheridan
 United States
Ralph Rose
 United States
Nikolaos Georgantas
 Greece
1908 London
details
Martin Sheridan
 United States
Merritt Giffin
 United States
Bill Horr
 United States
1912 Stockholm
details
Armas Taipale
 Finland
Richard Byrd
 United States
James Duncan
 United States
1920 Antwerp
details
Elmer Niklander
 Finland
Armas Taipale
 Finland
Gus Pope
 United States
1924 Paris
details
Bud Houser
 United States
Vilho Niittymaa
 Finland
Thomas Lieb
 United States
1928 Amsterdam
details
Bud Houser
 United States
Antero Kivi
 Finland
James Corson
 United States
1932 Los Angeles
details
John Anderson
 United States
Henri LaBorde
 United States
Paul Winter
 France
1936 Berlin
details
Ken Carpenter
 United States
Gordon Dunn
 United States
Giorgio Oberweger
 Italy
1948 London
details
Adolfo Consolini
 Italy
Giuseppe Tosi
 Italy
Fortune Gordien
 United States
1952 Helsinki
details
Sim Iness
 United States
Adolfo Consolini
 Italy
James Dillion
 United States
1956 Melbourne
details
Al Oerter
 United States
Fortune Gordien
 United States
Des Koch
 United States
1960 Rome
details
Al Oerter
 United States
Rink Babka
 United States
Dick Cochran
 United States
1964 Tokyo
details
Al Oerter
 United States
Ludvík Daněk
 Czechoslovakia
Dave Weill
 United States
1968 Mexico City
details
Al Oerter
 United States
Lothar Milde
 East Germany
Ludvík Daněk
 Czechoslovakia
1972 Munich
details
Ludvík Daněk
 Czechoslovakia
Jay Silvester
 United States
Ricky Bruch
 Sweden
1976 Montreal
details
Mac Wilkins
 United States
Wolfgang Schmidt
 East Germany
John Powell
 United States
1980 Moscow
details
Viktor Rashchupkin
 Soviet Union
Imrich Bugár
 Czechoslovakia
Luis Delís
 Cuba
1984 Los Angeles
details
Rolf Danneberg
 West Germany
Mac Wilkins
 United States
John Powell
 United States
1988 Seoul
details
Jürgen Schult
 East Germany
Romas Ubartas
 Soviet Union
Rolf Danneberg
 West Germany
1992 Barcelona
details
Romas Ubartas
 Lithuania
Jürgen Schult
 Germany
Roberto Moya
 Cuba
1996 Atlanta
details
Lars Riedel
 Germany
Vladimir Dubrovshchik
 Belarus
Vasiliy Kaptyukh
 Belarus
2000 Sydney
details
Virgilijus Alekna
 Lithuania
Lars Riedel
 Germany
Frantz Kruger
 South Africa
2004 Athens
details
Virgilijus Alekna
 Lithuania
Zoltán Kővágó
 Hungary
Aleksander Tammert
 Estonia
2008 Beijing
details
Gerd Kanter
 Estonia
Piotr Małachowski
 Poland
Virgilijus Alekna
 Lithuania
2012 London
details
Robert Harting
 Germany
Ehsan Haddadi
 Iran
Gerd Kanter
 Estonia
2016 Rio de Janeiro
details
Christoph Harting
 Germany
Piotr Małachowski
 Poland
Daniel Jasinski
 Germany
2020 Tokyo
details
Daniel Ståhl
 Sweden
Simon Pettersson
 Sweden
Lukas Weißhaidinger
 Austria
2024 Paris
details

Women

GamesGoldSilverBronze
1928 Amsterdam
details
Halina Konopacka
 Poland
Lillian Copeland
 United States
Ruth Svedberg
 Sweden
1932 Los Angeles
details
Lillian Copeland
 United States
Ruth Osburn
 United States
Jadwiga Wajs
 Poland
1936 Berlin
details
Gisela Mauermayer
 Germany
Jadwiga Wajs
 Poland
Paula Mollenhauer
 Germany
1948 London
details
Micheline Ostermeyer
 France
Edera Gentile
 Italy
Jacqueline Mazéas
 France
1952 Helsinki
details
Nina Romashkova
 Soviet Union
Yelisaveta Bagriantseva
 Soviet Union
Nina Dumbadze
 Soviet Union
1956 Melbourne
details
Olga Fikotová
 Czechoslovakia
Irina Beglyakova
 Soviet Union
Nina Romashkova
 Soviet Union
1960 Rome
details
Nina Romashkova
 Soviet Union
Tamara Press
 Soviet Union
Lia Manoliu
 Romania
1964 Tokyo
details
Tamara Press
 Soviet Union
Ingrid Lotz
 United Team of Germany
Lia Manoliu
 Romania
1968 Mexico City
details
Lia Manoliu
 Romania
Liesel Westermann
 West Germany
Jolán Kleiber-Kontsek
 Hungary
1972 Munich
details
Faina Melnik
 Soviet Union
Argentina Menis
 Romania
Vasilka Stoeva
 Bulgaria
1976 Montreal
details
Evelin Schlaak
 East Germany
Mariya Vergova
 Bulgaria
Gabriele Hinzmann
 East Germany
1980 Moscow
details
Evelin Jahl
 East Germany
Mariya Petkova
 Bulgaria
Tatyana Lesovaya
 Soviet Union
1984 Los Angeles
details
Ria Stalman
 Netherlands
Leslie Deniz
 United States
Florența Crăciunescu
 Romania
1988 Seoul
details
Martina Hellmann
 East Germany
Diana Gansky
 East Germany
Tsvetanka Khristova
 Bulgaria
1992 Barcelona
details
Maritza Martén
 Cuba
Tsvetanka Khristova
 Bulgaria
Daniela Costian
 Australia
1996 Atlanta
details
Ilke Wyludda
 Germany
Natalya Sadova
 Russia
Ellina Zvereva
 Belarus
2000 Sydney
details
Ellina Zvereva
 Belarus
Anastasia Kelesidou
 Greece
Iryna Yatchenko
 Belarus
2004 Athens
details
Natalya Sadova
 Russia
Anastasia Kelesidou
 Greece
Věra Pospíšilová-Cechlová
 Czech Republic[37]
2008 Beijing
details
Stephanie Brown Trafton
 United States
Olena Antonova
 Ukraine
Song Aimin
 China
2012 London
details
Sandra Perković
 Croatia
Li Yanfeng
 China
Yarelys Barrios
 Cuba
2016 Rio de Janeiro
details
Sandra Perković
 Croatia
Mélina Robert-Michon
 France
Denia Caballero
 Cuba
2020 Tokyo
details
Valarie Allman
 United States
Kristin Pudenz
 Germany
Yaime Pérez
 Cuba
2024 Paris
details

World Championships medalists

Men

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

Women

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

Season's bests

Women

YearMarkAthletePlace
196862.54 m (205 ft 2 in)  Liesel Westermann (FRG)Werdohl
196963.96 m (209 ft 10 in)  Liesel Westermann (FRG)Hamburg
197063.66 m (208 ft 10 in)  Karin Illgen (GDR)Leipzig
197164.88 m (212 ft 10 in)  Faina Melnik (URS)Munich
197267.32 m (220 ft 10 in)  Argentina Menis (ROU)Constanța
197369.48 m (227 ft 11 in)  Faina Melnik (URS)Edinburgh
197469.90 m (229 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS)Prague
197570.20 m (230 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS)Zürich
197670.50 m (231 ft 3 in)  Faina Melnik (URS)Sochi
197768.92 m (226 ft 1 in)  Sabine Engel (GDR)Karl-Marx-Stadt
197870.72 m (232 ft 0 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR)Dresden
197969.82 m (229 ft 0 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR)Leipzig
198071.80 m (235 ft 6 in)  Mariya Petkova (BUL)Sofia
198171.46 m (234 ft 5 in)  Evelin Jahl (GDR)Berlin
198271.40 m (234 ft 3 in)  Irina Meszynski (GDR)Karl-Marx-Stadt
198373.26 m (240 ft 4 in)  Galina Savinkova (URS)Leselidze
198474.56 m (244 ft 7 in)  Zdeňka Šilhavá (TCH)Nitra
198572.96 m (239 ft 4 in)  Galina Savinkova (URS)Erfurt
198673.26 m (240 ft 4 in)  Diana Gansky (GDR)Neubrandenburg
198774.08 m (243 ft 0 in)  Diana Gansky (GDR)Karl-Marx-Stadt
198876.80 m (251 ft 11 in)  Gabriele Reinsch (GDR)Neubrandenburg
198974.56 m (244 ft 7 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GDR)Neubrandenburg
199071.10 m (233 ft 3 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GDR)Tel Aviv
199171.02 m (233 ft 0 in)  Tsvetanka Khristova (BUL)Tokyo
199271.68 m (235 ft 2 in)  Xiao Yanling (CHN)Beijing
199368.14 m (223 ft 6 in)  Larisa Korotkevich (RUS)Vénissieux
199468.58 m (225 ft 0 in)  Daniela Costian (AUS)Auckland
199569.68 m (228 ft 7 in)  Mette Bergmann (NOR)Florø
199669.66 m (228 ft 6 in)  Ilke Wyludda (GER)Atlanta
199770.00 m (229 ft 7 in)  Xiao Yanling (CHN)Shanghai
199868.91 m (226 ft 0 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER)Stendal
199970.02 m (229 ft 8 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS)Thessaloníki
200068.70 m (225 ft 4 in)  Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)Bucharest
200168.57 m (224 ft 11 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS)Edmonton
200267.73 m (222 ft 2 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS)Tula
200369.38 m (227 ft 7 in)  Natalya Sadova (RUS)Halle
200469.14 m (226 ft 10 in)  Irina Yatchenko (BLR)Minsk
200566.81 m (219 ft 2 in)  Vera Cechlová (CZE)Madrid
200668.51 m (224 ft 9 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER)Schönebeck
200768.06 m (223 ft 3 in)  Franka Dietzsch (GER)Halle
200866.51 m (218 ft 2 in)  Nicoleta Grasu (ROU)Istanbul
200966.40 m (217 ft 10 in)  Li Yanfeng (CHN)Jinan
201067.78 m (222 ft 4 in)  Nadine Müller (GER)Wiesbaden
201167.98 m (223 ft 0 in)  Li Yanfeng (CHN)Schönebeck
201269.11 m (226 ft 8 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)London
201368.96 m (226 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)Lausanne
201471.08 m (233 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)Zürich
201570.65 m (231 ft 9 in)  Denia Caballero (CUB)Bilbao
201670.88 m (232 ft 6 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)Shanghai
201771.41 m (234 ft 3 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)Barcelona
201871.38 m (234 ft 2 in)  Sandra Perković (CRO)Doha
201969.39 m (227 ft 7 in)  Yaime Pérez (CUB)Sotteville
202070.15 m (230 ft 1 in)  Valarie Allman (USA)Rathdrum
202171.16 m (233 ft 5 in)  Valarie Allman (USA)Berlin
202271.46 m (234 ft 5 in)  Valarie Allman (USA)San Diego
202370.47 m (231 ft 2 in)  Valarie Allman (USA)Berlin
202473.09 m (239 ft 9 in)  Yaime Pérez (CUB)Ramona

See also

Notes and references

External links