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Weight throw
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Weight throw (or Weight for distance) is a traditional strength sport and throwing event derived from ancient Scottish Highland games. Unlike its other counterpart, the Weight over bar which involves a stationary pendulum like swing for height, the Weight throw involves a full body rotation and throwing of a metal ball attached to a handle via a chain, for the furthest distance. It has been used both in Highland games (Scottish Gaelic: caitheamh cuideam) as well as in track and field.
Highland games version permits the use of only one hand, and the athletes are required to rotate and throw under two disciplines: either 12.5 kg (28 lb) (light version/ light weight) or 25.5 kg (56 lb) (heavy version/ heavy weight), both for distance. For women, the weights differ, with 6.5 kg (14 lb) for light weight and 12.5 kg (28 lb) for heavy weight, while for masters and junior men categories, the weight commonly used is 19 kg (42 lb).
In the track and field version (which is most popular in the United States as an indoor equivalent to the hammer throw), the athletes are permitted to use both hands and the athletes are required to rotate and throw 16 kg (35 lb) for men and 9 kg (20 lb) for women for distance. However, it is not recognized by World Athletics, despite being included twice in 1904 and 1920 Olympic games.
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Highland games version
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In the Highland Games, the weight throw consists of two separate events, the light weight and the heavy weight. In both cases, the implement consists of a steel or lead weight (usually spherical or cylindrical) attached by a short chain to a metal handle. The handle may be a d-ring, a triangle or a ring. The size of the weight depends on the class of the competition.
For open class male athletes, the light weight is 28 lb, or two stone (12.7 kg). The heavy weight is 56 lb, or four stone (25.4 kg). For male master class or senior athletes, the weights are 28 and 42 lb (13 and 19 kg). For all female athletes, the weights are 14 and 28 lb (6.4 and 12.7 kg) for the light and heavy versions, respectively. Athletics Ireland also recognizes 35 lb (15.9 kg) as the weight for men below 18 years.[1][2][3]
The weight is thrown from a rectangular (4.5 feet by 9 feet) area behind a toe board or trig. The athlete must stay behind the trig at all times during the throw. The techniques vary, but usually involve a turning or spinning motion to increase momentum before the release. Each athlete gets three attempts, with places determined by the best throw.
World records
- Light weight 12.5 kg (28 lb) for 29.76 metres (97 ft 8 in) by Spencer Tyler
(2019 US Invitational Pleasanton)[4] - Heavy weight 25.5 kg (56 lb) for 15.62 metres (51 ft 3 in) by Spencer Tyler (2019 New Hampshire Highland Games)[4]
- → Having broken the two records a combined seven times (four times with the light weight and three times with the heavy weight), Tyler is widely regarded as the undisputed greatest of all time at this event. Some other all-time greats of the two disciplines who have held both records are Francis Brebner, Hamish Davidson and Bill Anderson.[5]
Progression of the world records
Light weight 12.5 kg (28 lb)
Heavy weight 25.5 kg (56 lb)
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Track and field version
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The Weight throw has been featured twice under the name of '56 pound weight throw' at the Olympic Games.
First was in 1904 Summer Olympics held in St. Louis, and then in 1920 Summer Olympics held in Antwerp. Étienne Desmarteau and Pat McDonald emerged champions respectively.
Furthest throws in history
Key:
- O = Outdoor performance
- A = affected by altitude
Men
Notes
Below is a list of additional performances (excluding ancillary throws) equal or superior to 24.48 m:
- Lance Deal also threw 25.48 m (83 ft 7 in) (1996), 25.41 m (83 ft 4+1⁄4 in) (1991), 24.90 m (81 ft 8+1⁄4 in) (1995), 24.84 m (81 ft 5+3⁄4 in) (1993) and 24.82 m (81 ft 5 in) (1993).
- Daniel Haugh also threw 25.44 m (83 ft 5+1⁄2 in) A (2023), 25.04 m (82 ft 1+3⁄4 in) A (2020), 24.93 m (81 ft 9+1⁄4 in) (2022), 24.70 m (81 ft 1⁄4 in) (2020).
- Libor Charfreitag also threw 25.28 m (82 ft 11+1⁄4 in) (2005), 25.26 m (82 ft 10+1⁄4 in) (2008), 25.03 m (82 ft 1+1⁄4 in) (2003), 24.88 m (81 ft 7+1⁄2 in) (2011), 24.86 m (81 ft 6+1⁄2 in) (2003) and 24.68 m (80 ft 11+1⁄2 in) (2005).
- Kibwé Johnson also threw 25.08 m (82 ft 3+1⁄4 in) (2007).
- Alfred Kruger also threw 24.99 m (81 ft 11+3⁄4 in) (2010), 24.78 m (81 ft 3+1⁄2 in) (2007) and 24.68 m (80 ft 11+1⁄2 in) (2012).
- Mike Lihrman also threw 24.91 m (81 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (2015).
- Conor McCullough also threw 24.48 m (80 ft 3+3⁄4 in) (2018).
Women
Notes
Below is a list of additional (indoor) performances (excluding ancillary throws) equal or superior to 24.20 m:
- Gwen Berry also threw 25.27 m (82 ft 10+3⁄4 in) (2018), 24.85 m (81 ft 6+1⁄4 in) (2018), 24.77 m (81 ft 3 in) (2017), 24.70 m (81 ft 1⁄4 in) (2013), 24.51 m (80 ft 4+3⁄4 in) (2016) and 24.39 m (80 ft 0 in) (2014).
- Brittany Riley also threw 25.34 m (83 ft 1+1⁄2 in) (2008), 25.12 m (82 ft 4+3⁄4 in) (2012), 24.57 m (80 ft 7+1⁄4 in) (2007) and 24.35 m (79 ft 10+1⁄2 in) (2012).
- Shey Taiwo also threw 25.19 m (82 ft 7+1⁄2 in) (2022).
- Janeah Stewart also threw 25.08 m (82 ft 3+1⁄4 in) (2019), 25.05 m (82 ft 2 in) (2020), 24.82 m (81 ft 5 in) (2019), 24.80 m (81 ft 4+1⁄4 in) (2019), 24.62 m (80 ft 9+1⁄4 in) (2020), 24.58 m (80 ft 7+1⁄2 in) (2020), 24.29 m (79 ft 8+1⁄4 in) (2024) and 24.20 m (79 ft 4+3⁄4 in) (2023).
- Brooke Andersen also threw 24.97 m (81 ft 11 in) (2023), 24.53 m (80 ft 5+1⁄2 in) (2024), 24.35 m (79 ft 10+1⁄2 in) (2024).
- Erin Reese also threw 24.93 m (81 ft 9+1⁄4 in) (2021), 24.34 m (79 ft 10+1⁄4 in) (2023).
- DeAnna Price also threw 24.71 m (81 ft 3⁄4 in) (2020), 24.57 m (80 ft 7+1⁄4 in) (2019), 24.52 m (80 ft 5+1⁄4 in) (2019), 24.51 m (80 ft 4+3⁄4 in) (2018) and 24.30 m (79 ft 8+1⁄2 in) A (2017).
- Amber Campbell also threw 24.70 m (81 ft 1⁄4 in) (2010), 24.54 m (80 ft 6 in) (2007), 24.43 m (80 ft 1+3⁄4 in) (2009), 24.33 m (79 ft 9+3⁄4 in) (2016) and 24.32 m (79 ft 9+1⁄4 in) (2010).
- Jalani Davis also threw 24.63 m (80 ft 9+1⁄2 in) (2023), 24.51 m (80 ft 4+3⁄4 in) A (2023).
- Rachel Tanczos also threw 24.58 m (80 ft 7+1⁄2 in) (2023), 24.32 m (79 ft 9+1⁄4 in) (2024).
- Annette Echikunwoke also threw 24.56 m (80 ft 6+3⁄4 in) (2023).
- Oyesade Olatoye also threw 24.46 m (80 ft 2+3⁄4 in) (2019).
Note that Gwen Berry threw 24.35 m in 2016 but the performance was annulled due to violation of anti-doping procedures[31]
Other international competitions
The event, held outdoors and indoors, is a World Championship and world record event in World Masters Athletics. Outdoors, it is also the final event of the Throws pentathlon. Masters athletics has different weight specifications for different age groups.[32]
As an indoor event
The weight throw is an indoor track and field event, predominately in the US. The technique implemented to throw the weight is similar to that of the hammer throw in outdoor competition. In international competition, the men's weight is a 35 lb ball (25 for high school) with a D-ring or triangle handle attached directly to the weight. The technique in wide use is to start in a throwing circle with the thrower's back to the landing area. The weight is then swung overhead to gain momentum before transitioning into the spinning position. The thrower then turns heel to toe up to four times across the ring and toward the front of the circle. At the front of the circle, the thrower releases the weight over his/her shoulder and into the landing area. The landing area is a sector of 34.92° which is identical to the Hammer throw, Discus throw and Shot Put. Because of the demands of the landing area, USATF rules allow for the event as part of an indoor meet to be held outdoors. The world best for men is 25.41 m (outdoor) and 25.86 m (84 ft 10 in) (indoor) and is held by American Lance Deal. For women, who throw a weight of 20 lb, the world best is 24.57 m (80 ft 7+1⁄2 in) (outdoor) set by Brittany Riley of Southern Illinois University on 27 January 2007 and 25.60 m (indoor), by Gwen Berry, on 4 March 2017.
The weight throw event has had an enduring history in American track and field. It was a national championship event for men outdoors from 1878 to 1965.[33] Despite the decline of such outdoor contests in the United States, the event has been a mainstay of the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships: the men's 35 lb event has been held from 1932 to present and a women's 20 lb weight throw event was introduced in 1991.[34][35] The weight throw is also present on the event programme of the NCAA Men's and NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The Superweight Throw uses implements similar in construction to the regular weight throw but with heavier implements. The event was part of two Olympic Games in 1904 and 1920.[36][37] Though no longer officially sanctioned by World Athletics, it still is contested as a novelty event at various competitions, including the USATF Master's Indoor Championship.[38]
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References
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