The discus throw at the World Championships in Athletics has been contested by both men and women since the inaugural edition in 1983. The competition format typically has one qualifying round contested by two groups of athletes, with all those clearing the qualifying height or placing in top twelve overall advancing to the final round.
Germany is the most successful nation in the event, with a total of 22 medals, 11 of them gold. Additionally, East Germany won 4 medals (including 3 golds) between 1983 and 1987. Cuba is the second-most successful nation, with 9 medals total, 2 of them gold. 7 of these medals were won by women. They could be seen as a counterpart to Lithuania, as all of their 8 medals in the event were won by men.
Lars Riedel is the most successful athlete in the event, winning 5 gold medals and one bronze medal between 1991 and 2001. His 5 gold medals are the second-most for any athlete in a single individual event, a feat only bettered by Sergey Bubka in the pole vault. Franka Dietzsch is the most successful woman in the event, with three gold medals. Robert Harting is the only other athlete that has won more than two gold medals in the event. Sandra Perković is the most decorated female athlete, with 5 medals in total.
The championship records for the event are 71.46 m for men, set by Daniel Ståhl in 2023, and 71.62 m for women, set by Martina Hellmann in 1987.
Age records
- All information from World Athletics.
Medalists
Men
Multiple medalists
Medals by country
Women
Multiple medalists
Medals by country
Championship record progression
Men
Women
Best performances
Top ten furthest World Championship throws1
1Does not include ancillary marks.
See also
- Discus throw
- Discus throw at the Olympics
References
Bibliography
- Butler, Mark (2023). World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 Statistics Book. World Athletics.
External links
- Official World Athletics website

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