World champion within the hammer throw, Ethan Katzberg of Nanaimo, B.C. grew to become the the Olympic champion on Sunday, turning into the primary athlete to win an Olympic medal for Canada within the occasion.
Unbeaten in 2024, Katzberg threw 84.12 metres within the first spherical to win, the second-best Olympic throw in historical past after Russian athlete Sergey Litinov threw 84.80m in 1958 on the Korea Olympics. Hungary’s Bence Halász earned silver, throwing 79.97m. Halász received the bronze medal on the 2019 and the 2023 World Championships. Mykhaylo Kokhan of the Ukraine took bronze, throwing 79.39m.
“Our plan was to get one out within the first spherical,” Katzberg instructed Canadian Operating.”Katzberg gave credit score to his coach Dylan Armstrong. “I’ve bought to present a number of due to my prep man over there Dylan Armstrong,” Katzberg mentioned. “He bought me prepared for this and we ready for this for an entire yr.”
What’s subsequent for the Olympic champion? “We’ve simply bought to maintain coaching, you recognize. I’m going to maintain pushing myself and see whats attainable,” Katzberg mentioned.
In 2023, Katzberg received gold on the 2023 World Athletics Championships turning into the primary Canadian man to win a world championship medal within the hammer throw occasion.
Katzberg ventured into the hammer throw seven years in the past, after watching his sister compete within the occasion. He was coached by his dad for a number of years till Armstrong took him beneath his wing in Kamloops, B.C.
Chilliwack’s Rowan Hamilton took ninth place, throwing 76.59m. Hamilton got here into the Video games following a profitable first season with the UC Berkeley Golden Bears which noticed him win the boys’s NCAA title within the self-discipline – the college’s first male athlete to take action in over 100 years.
Athletics occasions on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games are going down from Aug. 1-11. Right now’s protection is delivered to you by Canadian Operating and PUMA Canada. Comply with us on Twitter on Instagram for all issues Crew Canada and up-to-date unique information and content material.
