Lithuanian discus thrower Alekna broke the oldest world record in athletics

Mikolas Alekna/AP/David J. Phillip

Lithuanian athlete Mikolas Alekna threw the discus 74.35 m at the tournament in the USA and broke the oldest world record in athletics, which had been held since 1986.

Lithuanian track and field athlete Mykolas Alekna set a new discus world record. It happened at a tournament in Oklahoma (USA), reports Suspilne Sport.

During the competition, Alekna made six attempts. In the first round, the Lithuanian threw the projectile 72.21 meters, setting a personal record. In the third attempt, Alekna improved this result – 72.89 m.

In the end, Alekna's best result was the fifth attempt. The athlete threw the discus 74.35 meters and set a new world record. At first, the judges scored 74.41 m, but later the result was revised.

Discus throw: top 5 results in history

1. Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania) – 74.35 meters (year 2024)
2. Jürgen Schult (Germany) – 74.08 (1986)
3. Virgilius Alekna (Lithuania) – 73.88 (2000)
4. Gerd Kanter (Estonia) – 73.38 (2006)
5. Gerd Kanter (Estonia) – 72.02 (2007)

21-year-old Mikolas Alekna holds the titles of vice-champion of the world and champion of Europe in 2022 . He is the son of two-time Olympic discus champion Virgilius Alekna.

Mikolas Alekna