Hammer throw

This article is about the event in regular track and field competitions. For the similar Highland games event with a different type of hammer, see Scottish hammer throw.

Athletics Hammer throw
A hammer thrower in full rotation, spinning the hammer in a circular path
World records
Men	Yuriy Sedykh 86.74 m (284 ft 6 in) (1986)
Women	Anita Włodarczyk 82.98 m (272 ft 2 in) (2016)
Olympic records
Men	Sergey Litvinov 84.80 m (278 ft 2 in) (1988)
Women	Anita Włodarczyk 82.29 m (269 ft 11 in) (2016)
World Championship records
Men	Ethan Katzberg 84.70 m (277 ft 10 in) (2025)
Women	Anita Włodarczyk 80.85 m (265 ft 3 in) (2015)

The hammer throw is one of the four throwing events in regular outdoor track-and-field competitions, along with the discus throw, shot put and javelin.

The hammer used in this sport is not like any of the tools also called by that name. It consists of a metal ball attached by a steel wire to a grip. These three components are each separate and can move independently. Both the size and weight of the ball vary between men's and women's events. The men's hammer weighs 7.26 kilograms (16 lb) for college and professional meets; the women's hammer weighs 4 kilograms (8.8 lb).