Ethan Katzberg celebrates winning the gold medal setting a new Pan American record in the men’s hammer throw final in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Ethan Katzberg has added another gold to his growing collection of medals after he won the men’s hammer throw at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
The 21-year-old – who is from Nanaimo but trains in Kamloops – set a Pan Am Games record with a throw of 80.96 metres. Americans Daniel Haugh (77.62) and Rudy Winkler (76.65) earned silver and bronze, respectively.
Four of Katzberg’s six throws broke the old Pan American record of 79.63 meters, set by American Kibwe Johnson in Guadalajara back in 2011.
“I just wanted to get a good one in and keep building on that,” Katzberg told CBC Sports. “I think I met my expectations.”
“So yeah, it was great to have a good competition and on top of that continue to break the Pam Am record.
The world champion Ethan Katzberg wins GOLD at the Pan Am Games in the men’s hammer throw! 🇨🇦🥇
Katzberg set a Pan Am Games record with a throw of 80.96m 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tv2lTH8kzv
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) November 4, 2023
This gold medal adds to Katzberg’s breakout 2023 campaign, as he eyes a strong performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Katzberg won the world title in Budapest, Hungary, in August, becoming the first Canadian man to reach the podium in the event at a world championship. His Canadian record throw of 81.25 metres was good enough to beat reigning Olympic champion Wojciech Nowicki of Poland.
He also won the national title in July in Langley.
– With files from The Canadian Press and CBC Sports
