Huge throw: Ethan Katzberg of Canada competes in the men’s hammer throw final. — AP
CANADIAN world champion Ethan Katzberg won the men’s hammer at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, uncorking a mammoth heave with his first throw to clinch the gold medal.
The charismatic 22-year-old from British Columbia registered 84.12m with his opening effort to leave his rivals trailing throughout the competition at the Stade de France.
Katzberg’s superb first round toss was more than four metres further than his nearest rival, Hungary’s Bence Halasz, who took silver with a throw of 79.97m.
Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan took bronze with a throw of 79.39m.
Katzberg has been undefeated in the event since clinching a surprise victory at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
He is the first Canadian to win the Olympic hammer gold, and the first man from North America to achieve the feat since Hal Connolly back in 1956.
Katzberg said opening his competition with a huge throw had helped take the pressure of his broad shoulders.
“Coming into it I wanted to get a good one out in the first round,” he said.
“For it to be 84 was a really good feeling and then after that I kind of tried to try to go for. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a little more out but I was I was really happy.”
Katzberg said he took up his event after watching his sister compete in the hammer.
“My sister was a hammer throw before me,” he said. “I started coming out to her trainings and I thought it looks like fun.
“So I picked it up when I was 14 And I just kind of did it for fun. It feels great to be here now with a gold medal.” — AFP
