The Evolution of Men’s Discus Throwing

On the 27th of May 1912, in Queens, New York the world record for the Discus Throw was established. James Duncan (USA) threw 47.58 m (156 ft 1 in) with the 2-kilogram implement to solidify his place in history and create a baseline for which future Discus world records would be judged.

James Duncan’s world record stood for 12 years until it was broken by fellow american Thomas Lieb.

Up until the 1950’s the circles that the Discus Throwers used were outlined on dirt or grass. The dirt throwing circle was a favourite for many Discus Throwers. Once watered and cared for the dirt circle provided a stable surface that allowed athletes to successfully throw.

“Field” shoes with a one inch spike were the choice for throwing but they quickly “chewed up” the throwing circle and did not allow for a discus thrower to train for long periods of time in the same circle.  During the 1950s circles started to be constructed with asphalt or concrete. Throwing shoes then became spike-less and eventually went to a smooth sole that is common today. Due to it’s consistent surface and minimal maintenance concrete then became the standard for throwing circles.

Men’s Discus World Record Progression 

The Men’s current World Record was set in 1986 by Jürgen Schult (GDR) with a throw a 74.08 m (243 ft 01⁄2 in). This Discus record one of the longest standing world records in Track and Field. 74 years the establishment of the Discus World Record, the current World Record was set. Over 74 years in discus throwing their has been an improvement of 26.5m. An improvement of 155% over the initial World Record. But has this trend continued?

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How far should we be throwing now?

If you do not wish to see the mathematical background please scroll down to see the findings 

To make this analysis easier we will consider the establishment of the world record to be the point of origin.

The Y-Axis then becomes years after the establishment of the world record.

i.e Schults world record was set 74 years after the establishment of the world record.

Since the results will measure the line of best they will provide a reasonable gauge of what modern-day discus throwers should be throwing.

Now,  for the calculations:

Linear Regression / Slope = [ ( 74.08 – 47.58 ) / ( 74 – 0 ) ] = 0.3581

y = 0.381 × ( year after establishment of World Record) + C

as we stated earlier, the origin can be deemed as the establishment of the world record.

Therefore, when y = 47.58, x = 0

substituting these values gives us:

47.58 = 0.3581 × (0) + C

C = 47.58

This now gives us the equation we can use to represent the average discus progression of the world record.

y = 0.3581 × (year after establishment of world record) + 47.58

By using the previous equation we can substitute values to determine what throwers should be throwing now and for previous years.

Results: Expected Distance If World Record Progression Continued

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Expected / Calculated Progression of the Men’s Discus Throw World Record Graph 

It clearly shows that the modern day discus thrower is hugely behind upon the expected standard. Even with a deviation of +- 10%, a discus thrower would have to break the current world record by 2 metres to fit within the expected norm from the above calculations.

This leads unto the next question; is the world record a true representation of the best ever discus throw?

Gerd Kanter threw 69.51 indoors to claim the indoor world record and likewise Robert Fazekas and Virgilius Alekna both threw over 70metres in a large stadium at the olympics that basically eliminated all wind. Do these throws trump that of Jürgen Schult who has the label of the best mark ever?

It is unofficially documented that during the ancient olympics the athletes would throw implements weighing between 2.5 – 6kg. They threw up to 30 metres from a standing / power-position throw. Are these throws the equivalent of Jürgen Schult’s world record?

What is the difference between the 80s and now?

Perhaps it is the change of the technical focus of discus throwing to strictly power. The throwers in the 80s had far better technical aspects than modern day throwing. Wolfgang Schmidt, Lars Riedel, John Powell, Mac Wilkins, and Jürgen Schult all had techniques that far surpass the modern day discus thrower. The modern thrower has a greater focus on the power throw opposed to the technical throw.  The stability and speed from the technique surpasses most benefits from the stronger albeit slower advantage gained from purely a power aspect.

Numerous videos are available on the internet showing feats of strength by the modern day discus thrower. A 200+ kg bench press,  250+kg deadlift, 220+ kg squat are normally very common.

These lifting numbers blitz those from the 80’s but the distance has hardly improved.

To be a successful discus thrower, the technique must be impeccable. The thrower must learn to move through the technique at a high velocity, with periods of rapid acceleration while maintaining control over the implement and body.

There the problem arises, if the thrower is able to hit each position precisely while moving at a very high velocity with efficient rhythm a big throw will result. If he/she is unable to do so, the distance is significantly impacted upon.

Is it possible that modern performances since the 1986 world record have been negatively affected by the increased use of technology?

Is it possible that athletes and sports people in general have flatlined in terms of physical performance?

It is reasonable to assume that as bodies become bigger and stronger, performances will automatically improve; but this is not the case.

Was there a “Golden Era” of Discus throwing?

By looking at the olympic games an interesting trend emerges. 3 olympics games surpass every other one in terms of distance needed to qualify for the top 8. In the 1988 Seoul Olympics the winner of the event, Jurgen Schult threw a then Olympic Record of 68.82m. All medalists threw over 67 metres and the top 8 was at 64.94m.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Virgilius Alekna won with a throw of 69.30m, 10 centimetres off the Olympic Record held by Schult from Atlanta. All medalists threw over 68 metres and the top 8 was at 64.41m.

In the most recent London Olympics Robert Harting won with a throw of 68.27m and all medalists threw over 68 metres, easily the closest margin between 1st and 3rd ever. The top 8 mark for this Olympic games was 64.79m.

When comparing all of these notable olympics, they are each 12 years apart from each other. There is a 1.03m difference between the winning marks, a 71cm difference between the bronze medalists and a 53cm difference separating what 8th place threw. In addition when analysing the top 20 all time discus throws. An equal split of throwing occurs. The marks pre 1995 are equivalent to the marks post 1995. A split of exactly 50%.

So, is the common statement that discus throwing has declined actually true?

In the most competitive Olympic Games of the era, Seoul 1988, and London 2012, every aspect of the top 8 finishers model each other and London never was remembered as an Olympics to remember. Is it just a case that the discus has reached its maximum optimisation and it is almost impossible to progress from what from previous throwers have achieved?

Whilst comparing all of the data it is quite obvious that throwing distance and competitiveness has stayed fairly even over the last 30 years.

Is the reason we are annoyed at the current era of throwers due to the fact they have not progressed or is it simply due to the fact that we have severely underrated their performances achieved?

Whilst arguably todays athletes are better prepared and conditioned to perform; the recorded performances of athletes 100 years ago remain relevant to performances recorded today and provide useful insight for analysis.

We know that the modern athlete is better prepared emotionally and physically to exceed all previous levels of athletic performance. The modern athlete is armed with knowledge, coaching and environments that are superior in every respect to those that past athletes had to contend with. But despite this, the distances thrown by both male and female athletes are yet to significantly improve on those from the 80’s.

Perhaps there is another Jürgen out there. With the improvement of technology there is no ceiling to limit the results of future athletes. But will someone be able to surpass the Men’s Discus World Record? Only time will tell…

What are your opinions on this?

Stay tuned for the Women’s Discus, Shot Put, Hammer and Javelin analysis’ coming soon.

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