Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna broke the longest-standing men’s world record, throwing an incredible 74.35 meters to break the previous world record at the Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona. Aekna’s throw broke the record of 74.08m set by Jurgen Schult in 1986. This was 16 years before the Lithuanian was even born and it formed part of a series of six 70m-plus throws by the 21-year-old.
Competing on a weekend when discus throwers were blessed with perfect conditions, Alekna showed he meant business from the start, opening with 72.21m. That improved on the 71.39m PB that had moved him up to No.10 on the world all-time list on 6 April, but still he looked frustrated.
The two-time world medallist followed that with 70.32m in the gusty conditions, but seemed much happier with his third-round attempt. It measured at 72.89m – a mark that strengthened his place at fourth all-time.
Despite that huge performance, Alekna maintained his composure to throw 70.51m in round four and the best was yet to come.
Returning to the throwing circle for the fifth time, he launched the implement and pointed at it as it flew through the air. It landed at 74.35m – initially measured as 74.41m but later revised – and Alekna made history, going on to complete his series with 70.50m from his final attempt.
The Alekna family now has two of the three best men’s discus throwers in history, with two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna – the father of Mykolas – now placed third on the world all-time list with his 73.88m from 2000.
Mykolas Alekna’s performance came the day after Cuba’s Yaime Perez threw 73.09m in Ramona for the longest women’s discus throw in the world since 1989.
Alekna is destined for greatness
Alekna has been a prodigy in the sport. He first came to fame when he won the Gold medal at the World U-20 championships. He broke the championship record there after a 69.81-meter throw. His performance at the World Athletics Championship in 2022 helped him become the youngest medalist in discus throw.
Having broken the world record in an Olympic year, Alekna will have his eyes set on the podium in Paris. He has all the momentum in the world and will be looking to carry his form as the Games are just over three months away.
