RAMONA, Okla. (AP) — Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania broke a world record in the discus throw that had stood since 1986 on Sunday at the Oklahoma Throws Series competition.
Alekna’s throw of 243 feet, 11 inches (74.35 meters) eclipsed the mark of 243 feet (74.08 meters) set by Germany’s Jurgen Schult on June 6, 1986. Alekna’s throw was originally measured at 244-1 (74.41) but later revised, according to World Athletics. The record is subject to ratification.
The 21-year-old Alekna, a junior at the University of California, is a two-time medal winner at the world outdoor championships. He captured a silver medal at the 2022 worlds in Oregon and bronze last summer in Hungary.
His big throw bumped his father, Virgilijus, to third on the career list. Virgilijus Alekna had a toss of 242-4 (73.88) in 2000.
Mykolas Alekna’s big day comes a day after Cuba’s Yaimé Perez recorded the longest women’s discus throw since 1989 at 239-9 (73.09).
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Mykolas Alekna’s performance came the day after Cuba’s Yaime Perez threw 73.09m in Ramona for the longest women’s discus throw in the world since 1989.
(asterisk)Subject to the usual ratification procedure
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
Pennsylvania moves to join states that punish stalkers who use Bluetooth tracking devices
Minor league infielder Keiner Delgado traded from Yankees to Pittsburgh Pirates
Lucknow beats Mumbai by 4 wickets to rise to third in IPL
US judges reject new Louisiana congressional map
Sports Emmy Awards will honor 8 individuals as Gold and Silver Circle inductees
Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its ban
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
Arkansas' elimination of 'X' for sex on driver's licenses spurs lawsuit