Katzberg ends Fajdek’s reign as Hammer World Champion in Budapest | News | Budapest 23

Ethan Katzberg may be a relatively new name in the hammer throwing world, but looking back, all indications were that the Canadian would be a medal contender World Athletics Championships Budapest 23.

The 21-year-old finished in the top three in all his competitions this year and set his personal bests three times, most recently in his last competition before traveling to Budapest, where he threw 78.73m and won the Canadian title.

With his first and only throw in the qualifying round, he surpassed this best time and set a national record of 81.18 m.

All was set for the final though, and he faced some of the event’s giants including five-time world champion Pawel Fajdek, Olympic champion Wojciech Nowicki and home favorite Bence Halasz.

Fajdek started with a solid 80.00m but was soon passed by Halasz, who threw 80.82m – much to the delight of the home crowd.

Katzberg also joined them beyond the 80m line on the first lap, making the opener with 80.18m and moving up to second place.

Nowicki was the next to break that barrier, throwing 80.70m in the second round to move into second place.

Fajdek and Halasz failed to improve their opening shots throughout the competition. Halasz’s third-lap attempt was originally timed at 81.02 m, but a video replay showed his toe dipped outside the sector.

Nowicki briefly took the lead on the fifth lap with a performance of 81.02m, but was surpassed moments later by Katzberg, who set a Canadian record of 81.25m.

Nobody improved on the last lap, but Katzberg consolidated his lead with 81.11 m and Nowicki finished with 80.36 m.

“To hit a personal best and be world champion, that’s an absolutely amazing feeling,” said Katzberg after becoming not only the youngest-ever hammer champion at the world championships, but also the youngest-ever medalist at the event. “It hasn’t hit me yet.”

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

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