Lithuania’s Alekna smashes men’s discus world record
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Athletics - Diamond League - Rome - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - August 30, 2024 Lithuania's Mykolas Alekna in action during the Men's Discus Throw REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo
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Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania made history on Sunday by breaking the world discus record and becoming the first athlete to surpass the 75-metre mark.
The 22-year-old threw 75.56 metres at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Ramona, Oklahoma, eclipsing his own previous world record by more than a metre.
Alekna set the earlier mark at the same venue last year, with the facility a favourite among elite throwers due to favourable winds, where he launched the discus 74.35m.
The 2024 Olympic silver medallist was in sensational form, opening the competition with a world record throw of 74.89m before extending it even further in the fourth round.
Australia’s Matt Denny also impressed, surpassing Alekna’s record from last year with a throw of 74.78m. REUTERS
