Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg wins gold in hammer throw at world championships
Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg smashed his own record and exceeded all expectations, claiming the gold medal in the men’s hammer throw at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday.
The 21-year-old from Nanaimo, B.C., set a Canadian record with a throw of 81.25 metres on his fifth attempt, breaking his own national mark of 81.18 metres set during Saturday’s qualifiers.
“I knew it was going to be good … I didn’t know it was going to be 81.25, but obviously I was very excited that it was,” Katzberg said of his gold-medal throw. “It felt good leaving my hands.”
It was Canada’s first medal in Budapest, and Katzberg became the first Canadian man to reach the podium in this event at a world championship.