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Hammer throw is one of the events in track and field competitions. A heavy object on the end of a thin wire is hurled for maximum distance. The game dates back to the 15th century. Hammer throw is one of the oldest events in the Olympic Games.
![competitor preparing for the hammer throw event](../athletics/images/hammer-throw-pixabay.jpg)
For the men’s division, the hammer weighs around 16 pounds and measures around 3 feet and 11 ¾ inches. For the women’s division, the hammer weighs around 8.82 pounds and measure around 3 feet and 11 inches in length. A winner is decided if he or she can throw the hammer the farthest. It was used to be thought as a strength event, but now it’s more on speed so one can throw the hammer in a farther distance.
The action of throwing involves two swings, then around three or four body rotations in circular motion using a heel-toe movement of the foot. This is then moved in a circular path. It gradually increases its velocity, and then the participant throws the ball from the circle.
Other Throwing Events
- Shot put — the track and field event where the participants throw a heavy metal ball for maximum distance.
- Discus — athletes attempt to throw a heavy disc object far as they can.
- Javelin — track and field event involving throwing a spear-like implement as far as possible.
- Weight Throw — a family of heavy weight throwing events, in which the objective is to either throw the weight as far as possible or as high as possible.
- Club Throw — a track and field disabled sports event, the objective is to throw a wooden club as far as possible.
- Softball Throw — a track and field discipline in which you throw the ball as far as possible, mostly used in competitions for disadvantaged groups as a substitute for other technical throwing events.
- Klootschieten — German sport in which participants throw a ball as far as they can.
Related Pages
- More track and field events
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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