Katzberg Secures Gold for Canada in Hammer Throw

Ethan Katzberg experienced an unforgettable moment on Sunday, making history in the process.

Hailing from Nanaimo, B.C., Katzberg clinched the gold medal in the men’s hammer throw at the Paris Olympics with a dominating performance. He became the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal in the event since Duncan Gillis earned silver at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Con Walsh is the only other Canadian to reach the podium, securing bronze at the 1908 London Olympics.

“I can call myself an Olympic champion for the rest of my life and that’s a really special moment, and I’ll always remember this day,” Katzberg said. “It was incredible.”

Katzberg opened with a throw of 84.12 metres at Stade de France and remained unchallenged throughout the competition. He also had the second-best throw at 82.28 metres, with no other competitor reaching the 80-metre mark.

This victory was part of a well-executed plan by Katzberg’s coach, Dylan Armstrong, a 2008 Olympic men’s shot put bronze medallist from Kamloops, B.C.

At just 22 years old, Katzberg has rapidly ascended from being a Commonwealth Games silver medallist in 2022 to a world champion in 2023 and now an Olympic champion. He is also the first and only Canadian to ever medal and win a world title in the hammer throw event.