Katzberg captures 5th straight hammer throw win of season, topping 80 metres in Norway
Ethan Katzberg continued his dominance in the men’s hammer throw event by winning his fifth consecutive competition of the 2025 season. Despite not being at his most consistent, Katzberg managed to secure the victory with a single strong throw at the Bislett Games Diamond League meet in Oslo, Norway.
The reigning world and Olympic champion from Nanaimo, B.C., was the only athlete out of seven competitors to surpass the 80-metre mark, achieving a distance of 80.19 on his third attempt. Although he fell just short of the meet record set by Wojciech Nowicki of Poland, Katzberg expressed satisfaction with his performance and hinted at his return home after a successful stint in Europe.
Prior to his win in Oslo, Katzberg had been in excellent form, with notable victories at the Trond Mohn Games and the Kip Keino Classic where he set a season-best and world-leading distance of 82.73. His consistent success on the international stage has solidified his reputation as the top-ranked men’s hammer thrower in the world.
Ukraine’s Mykhalo Kokhan put up a strong challenge with a final throw of 79.95, securing second place behind Katzberg. Local favorite Thomas Mardal also impressed with a personal best throw of 78.25 to finish third, despite fouling on four attempts throughout the competition.
Reflecting on his performance, Mardal described the day as an “all-or-nothing” experience and expressed his gratitude for the support of his family at the event. Looking ahead, he aims to represent Norway at the European Team Champs before setting his sights on the upcoming world championships in Tokyo.
While the hammer throw event is not a regular feature on the Diamond League circuit, Katzberg remains focused on his preparations for the rest of the season. The Canadian athlete acknowledged feeling slightly fatigued but remains committed to delivering strong results in upcoming competitions.
With his sights set on the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, Katzberg continues to build on his impressive track record, which includes becoming Canada’s first Olympic hammer throw champion at the Paris Games. His remarkable journey to the top of the sport has earned him accolades as the youngest-ever gold medalist in the event.
In a separate development, Kenyan runner Benard Kibet Koech, who achieved a fifth-place finish in the men’s 10,000-meter final at the Paris Olympics, has been provisionally suspended for suspected doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit has charged Koech with irregularities in his athlete biological passport, indicating possible use of banned substances or methods.
The biological passport system serves as a crucial tool in detecting potential doping violations by monitoring changes in an athlete’s blood values over time. Koech’s case underscores the ongoing efforts to maintain integrity and fairness in competitive sports, emphasizing the importance of upholding anti-doping regulations to preserve the sanctity of athletic competition.
