Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg successfully defends Absa Kip Keino Men’s Hammer title
“I did not expect to set a World Lead here but I love how my season is shaping. Last year I threw my personal best (here) and won gold at the Olympics,”
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 31- Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg of Canada fulfilled his favourite’s role to perfection to add a second Absa Kip Keino Classic men's Hammer throw gold to his expanding collection on Saturday (May 31) in Nairobi.
It was a powerful display of strength, technique, and raw athleticism from the Paris 2024 winner who uncorked a world leading throw of 82.73m on his second outing of the season to take the top honours.
Victory at the Ulinzi Sports Complex Stadium, that was hosting the sixth leg of this season’s World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series meeting of the season, however, did not match the 84.38m he threw last year but it was nonetheless, enough to beat them all.
“Kenya feels like a second home I started off my career here and that is why I love coming back plus I also keep posting good results here.
“I did not expect to set a World Lead here but I love how my season is shaping. Last year I threw my personal best (here) and won gold at the Olympics,” the ecstatic Canadian who lapped the adulation from the supporters enthused.
Under clear Nairobi skies and in front of a lively home crowd, the 23-year-old world champion unleashed his winning throw in the fourth round to shoot to the top of the world rankings in a statement of intent.
The Canadian, whose rise in the discipline has been nothing short of meteoric, maintained remarkable consistency throughout his series, recording three throws beyond 81 meters.
Warning rivals
His winning mark of 82.73m not only secured gold but also sent a warning to his rivals ahead of the Tokyo 2025 World Championships in September.
Trailing him was Croatia’s Matija Greguric, who threw a personal best of 76.68m on his fifth attempt after gradually building momentum through the rounds.
His steady progression, from 74.79m to his PB, showcased technical refinement and patience and he was rewarded with the silver.
Hungary’s Daniel Rába secured the bronze with a season-best 75.93m, fending off a late challenge from Denzel Comenentia of the Netherlands, who posted 75.30m with his only valid throw of the day.
Shota Fukuda of Japan (72.77m SB) and Greece’s Michail Anastasakis (72.40m) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, while Egypt’s Mostafa Elgamel, a seasoned campaigner, managed 68.28m for seventh place.
Kenya’s Dominic Ongidi Abunda received one of the loudest cheers despite propping the field.
His best throw of 61.50m was nevertheless a season’s best.
ABSA KIP KEINO CLASSIC: MEN’S HAMMER THROW RESULTS
1. Ethan Katzberg (CAN) – 82.73 WL
2. Matija Greguric (CRO) – 76.68 PB
3. Daniel Rába (HUN) – 75.93 SB
4. Denzel Comenentia (NED) – 75.30 SB
5. Shota Fukuda (JPN) – 72.77 SB
6. Michail Anastasakis (GRE) – 72.40
7. Mostafa Elgamel (EGY) – 68.28
8. Dominic Ongidi Abunda (KEN) – 61.50 SB
-By Robert Kibet | Freelance Journalist
-Photos: Peter Njoroge
