Hammer throw has been prominently won by older, Eastern European and American men. However, new
competition seems to be challenging this idea.
Dominated by the USSR and the United States, with legends like Yuriy Sedykh—whose world record of 86.74 meters still stands—and coaching icons such as Dr. Anatoliy Bondarchuk shaping generations of elite throwers. These nations built an enduring legacy through intense competition and scientific training methods. Today, Canada’s Ethan Katzberg has emerged as a formidable challenger to that history. With powerful technique and composure beyond his years, Katzberg is rewriting expectations, becoming one of the youngest world champion in the event’s history. His rise marks a shifting tide in a sport once thought to be only controlled by Cold War-era giants.