Canada’s Rogers and Katzberg Claim Victory, World Record Holder Wlodarczyk Improves at the 2025 Kip Keino Classic
01 JUN 2025 - NAIROBI, KENYA
Another iconic meet, another stacked field, and another bar-raising competition has concluded at the 2025 Kip Keino Classic in Langata, Nairobi (KEN). The championship reign continues as Olympic gold medalists Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers of Team Canada win in the Hammer Throw with throws of 82.73m and 77.93m, respectively. Let's break down the rest of the results.
Starting on the women’s side, Katrine Jacobsen of Denmark improves off of her last meet at the Oklahoma Throws Series with a throw of 74.21m, earning second position behind Canada’s Camryn Rogers. In third is USA’s Janee’ Kassanavoid with a throw of 74.17m, with Romania’s Bianca Ghelber finishing fourth with a new Season’s Best (SB) of 73.99m. Her previous SB was back in early May at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix where both her and Ukraine’s Iryna Klymets earned first and second, respectively. Rose Loga from France placed fifth with a throw of 72.88m and Norway’s Beatrice Llano placed sixth with a throw of 72.31m. In seventh place is the world record holder and 3-time Olympic champion Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland with a throw of 70.27m, an improvement from her last meet the previous weekend. Rounding out the competition are Germany’s Nova Keinast (65.29m) and Kenya’s Roseline Rakamba (51.85m) placing eighth and ninth, respectively. Speaking of Klymets, unfortunately, she did not register a mark in the preliminary rounds. Her SB still stands at 69.93m from the UAE meet in Dubai.
Now onto the men. Six meters separated first from second place with Katzberg earning the win and Croatia’s Matija Greguric placing second with a throw of 76.68m. Shortly behind was Daniel Raba of Hungary with a throw of 75.93m, placing third. Denzel Comenentia of the Netherlands earned fourth place with a throw of 75.30m, an improvement from his previous meet in Germany where he threw 75.08m. Also improving from his last meet is Japan’s Shota Fukuda with a new SB of 72.77m, placing him fifth. Michail Anastasakis of Greece placed sixth with a throw of 72.40m and Egypt’s Mostafa Elgamel placed seventh with a throw of 68.28m. Rounding out the competition is Kenya’s Dominic Abunda placing eighth with a throw of 61.50m.
We are roughly 100 days away from the World Championships and it keeps getting better and better! All eyes now turn to the next showdown on the World Athletics Continental Tour. Will the reign continue for the Canadian powerhouses? Or are we due for a breakthrough throw from one of the seasoned veterans? It may be too soon to tell, but what a start we are having for the 2025 season!
Stay locked in, folks. We have a long way to go!
Throwing it Far,
SGB
Team-Based League in Track and Field Coming in 2026: Could This Be the Future of Professional Athletics?
31 MAY 2025 - NEW YORK
ATHLOS, the first women-only track event funded by Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, just announced a team-based track and field league with an athlete-advisor ownership model. Here’s a breakdown of what we know:
ATHLOS will showcase their team-based league model in multiple events taking place after the World Athletics season concludes in 2026. Given last year’s cash prize totaled to over $600,000, it’s safe to assume the cash prize will increase for teams competing.
As part of the athlete-first movement of ATHLOS, Olympic gold medalists Sha’Carri Richardson, Tara Davis-Woodhall, and Gabby Thomas will serve as athlete-owners in this new league.
Before transitioning to the team-based model, the ATHLOS will return to Icahn Stadium in New York City on October 10th, a few weeks after the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in mid-late September. Davis-Woodhall is set to headline the inaugural long jump event. The 2025 lineup also includes Gabby Thomas, Masai Russel, Marileidy Paulino, Brittany Brown, Jasmine Comacho-Quinn, Jasmine Moore, Natoya Goule-Toppin, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and Amber Anning. It has not been confirmed whether Richardson will compete, given her focus is on her ownership status with ATHLOS. The cash prize still remains large, with first place walking away with $60K and a sterling silver crown courtesy of Tiffany Co.
Upon reading numerous responses of this announcement, a commenter on Tess DeMeyer’s post about this announcement on the NY Times: The Athletic wrote the following:
“Nobody within the sport seems to grasp that what American fans are drawn to are the uniforms. The athletes at the NCAA championships each represent a university everyone’s heard of and relates to in some way. Those at the Olympics or world championships represent a country. You don’t have to know who the athlete is to latch onto them… Track and field has many incredible athletes, but people in the sport overestimate how many of them can attract a crowd…Put any of these athletes in a USA uniform, though, and they become instantly more relatable.”
-Didier M.
It raises the question of “how do we make track and field more spectator-friendly?”. One could infer that relatability may be the missing link and an answer to a lot of questions when it comes to viewership in individual sports. In team sports, fans are invested in the identities that are bigger than the athletes themselves, such as school name and geographical location, because they already have an emotional connection built-in with their loyalty. With that in mind, I am curious on how teams will be established in the all-new ATHLOS league. Could it be by region? Or could it be where the three athlete-owners (Richardson, Thomas, Davis-Woodhall) select athletes to compete for them? More information is expected to be presented soon.
Overall, the ATHLOS team-based competition in 2026 is heavily anticipated and a momentous step forward toward bringing more viewership to track and field. Given the high-energy response from fans, I have a feeling this could be the spark that transforms track and field into a sport that is popular year-round—not just every four years.
Anderson Wins the Women’s Hammer Throw at 2025 USATF Throws Festival, Five to Throw World Championship Qualifying Marks
TUSCON, AZ. - MAY 24, 2025
The Tucson desert was not the only thing bringing the heat! In this electric competition stacked with Olympic and World medalists, five athletes threw World Championship qualifying marks, and many more achieved season bests. If there is one thing to take away from this competition, let it be this: Women’s Hammer Throw will be THE event to watch at the 2025 Tokyo Track and Field World Championships. Let’s break down the results.
1 Brooke Andersen USA - 79.29m - WC Qual
2 Deanna Price USA - 78.51m - WC Qual
3 Rachel Richeson USA - 76.65m - WC Qual
4 Janee’ Kassanavoid USA - 76.42m - WC Qual
5 Annette Echikunwoke USA - 75.47m - WC Qual
6 Erin Reese USA - 72.98m
7 Janeah Stewart USA - 71.53m
8 Anna Purchase GBR - 71.34m
9 Stamatia Scarvelis GRE - 70.20m
10 Stephanie Ratcliffe AUS - 69.94m
11 Oyesade Olatoye NGR - 69.61m
12 Jalani Davis USA - 69.51m
13 Nayoka Clunis JAM - 68.75m
14 Jillian Shippee USA- 66.46m
According to their social media posts, both Andersen and Kassanavoid feel they are steadily progressing towards some bigger throws. For Price, 78.51m was more than just a World Championship qualifying mark. In her Instagram post reflecting on her performance, she states “...This is the farthest I’ve ever thrown since my double surgery in 2021!”. This competition was a major step in her comeback season and throwing only a few meters behind her personal best from 2021 proves she is in great shape for bigger throws later this year.
With the constant shifts in the world rankings, it is tough to predict who will be crowned World Champion this year in Tokyo. The best of the best are only getting better as the season progresses and there are many meets to go until Worlds. Up next on the World Athletics tour: The Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya. The 2024 Olympic Champion Camryn Rogers is expected to compete, coming off of a strong start to her season with a throw of 78.14m from Mt. Sac Relays. Once again, this will be another stacked field and a competition you do not want to miss!
Throwing it Far,
SGB
Who Said the Throws Events Were Not TV-Friendly? A Response to the Events Lineup for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026
Seriously, Who Decided Throws Aren’t TV-Friendly?!
When World Athletics unveiled the events list for the inaugural Ultimate Championship in late November, I was shocked—and frankly outraged—for my fellow competitors in the professional track and field space. How is it that events like shot put, discus, and women’s hammer throw didn’t make the cut? With a whopping $150,000 first-place prize on the line, these world-class athletes won’t even have the chance to compete for it.
The rationale? World Athletics wants to deliver a “made-for-television” experience by prioritizing fast-paced events. I get it—the goal is to capture the attention of new viewers, but let’s not pretend that throws aren’t captivating! After the stellar performances from athletes like Ryan Crouser, Valarie Allman, and Camryn Rogers at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the throws are more popular than ever. Cutting them from this showcase feels like a massive missed opportunity.
A Few Key Solutions That Were Overlooked
A Dedicated Throws Livestream
Imagine this: a separate live stream just for throwing events. Thousands of fans would tune in—fans who, let’s be real, feel underserved by the current broadcast trends. Platforms like Peacock proved during the Paris Olympics that this kind of specialized coverage works. Why not replicate that success?Social Media as a Megaphone for Throws
Social media platforms have been instrumental in boosting track and field’s visibility. World Championships and Olympic Games have consistently highlighted throws in their digital coverage. So, why not now? If I were running the social accounts for Team USA or World Athletics, I’d be cranking out highlight reels, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes looks at the throwers. It’s a proven formula to grow engagement.Reconsidering Timing Excuses
Yes, throws take time—but no more than events with semifinals and finals. If timing is such a concern, why not stagger coverage like we saw at the Olympics? Give the fans who care about throws a space to follow their favorite athletes while still keeping the main broadcast streamlined.NBC, do you need a broadcaster to commentate on the throwing events? If so, CALL ME!!
Can This Really Be the “Ultimate Championship”?
Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics, said the event is designed to “…reach the biggest global audience possible.” If that’s true, how do you justify excluding events that feature some of the sport’s biggest stars and most inspiring moments?
Let’s talk consistency—why men’s hammer and not women’s? What was the selection process here? Fans and athletes deserve a clear explanation.
A Final Word
Look, I’m thrilled to see some of the throws included, and I wish the best of luck to every thrower competing. However, can we truly say this is the Ultimate Championship if we know some of the very best in the sport will not even have a chance to compete?
Throwing it Far,
SGB
Recap: 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials - Track and Field
Raise your hand if any of the outcomes of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials were on your 2024 bingo card - Not me!
This year’s Olympic Trials were a rollercoaster of excitement and unpredictability! The Team USA roster was up for grabs, and this year, we saw a wave of fresh talent stepping up to represent the USA in Paris. When I tell you that no one is ever guaranteed a spot on this team, I mean NO ONE! The minute the ring or runway is open, it becomes anyone’s game. Let’s dive right in!
-Hammer Throw-
Did somebody call for an icon? The 2019 World Champion, Deanna Price, qualified for her third Olympic Games in the Women’s Hammer Throw, and I am thrilled! Her third-round throw of 74.52m (244’6”) awarded her second place, only 16cm behind the Olympic Team Trials Champion Annette Echikunwoke with a throw of 74.68m (245’). In third place and claiming the final spot for Team USA is Erin Reese, with a throw of 71.21m (233’7”). This will be Echikunwoke’s and Reese’s first Olympics, and we expect all three to make it to the Olympic finals, according to their personal records.
On the men’s side, we welcome back the 2x World Championship finalist Daniel Haugh and the now 3x Olympian Rudy Winkler! Haugh claims victory at the Olympic Trials with a throw of 79.51m (260’10”), and Winkler places second with a throw of 78.89m (258’10”). In third place is Justin Stafford with a throw of 77.07m (252’10”). Unfortunately, we will not see him at the Paris Olympics due to not reaching the Olympic standard. Regardless, he deserves a huge congratulations for earning the bronze medal, especially with how stacked the competition was.
-Shot Put-
Moving on to Women’s Shot Put, 2x World Champion and American Record holder Chase Jackson claims gold with her fourth-round throw of 20.10m (65’11.5”). What a great time to achieve a new Season’s Best (SB)! A throw over 20m should place her in medal contention, so she will be one to watch at the Games. In second place with a throw of 19.90m (65’3”), is the fan-favorite and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Raven Saunders! Leading up to the Trials, they made it clear on social media that they were out for blood – nothing less than a ticket to Paris, and that was established in the first round with a 19.88m (65’2.75”) throw. Claiming the final spot is recent University of Oregon graduate Jaida Ross, with a throw of 19.60m (64’3.75”). Before the trials, she won NCAAs and broke her own collegiate record in the shot put, so she was on a great trajectory heading into the trials. Again, another solid group of three joining Team USA – I see some Olympic finalists in the future!
Can we talk about the Men’s Shot Put Finals?! It was a game of 22s! The 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Crouser reigned victorious with a throw of 22.84m (74’11.25”); however, it was not without a fight. By the end of the first round, first and second place were separated by 1cm. Crouser with a throw of 22.44m and Joe Kovacs with a throw of 22.43m. Kovacs, the 2x Olympic Silver Medalist, finishes the Trials with a silver medal with that first-round throw. Rounding out the top three and moving on to the Paris Olympics is 2020 Tokyo Olympian Payton Otterdahl, with a fifth-round throw of 22.26m (73’7.5”). Ultimately, it was an excellent showing for all the competitors, and this was not an easy Trials! To qualify for the 2024 Olympics, it took over 22m, which, compared to around the world, ranks within the top 10!
-Discus-
Rookie Alert! In the Women’s Discus, Jayden Ulrich and Veronica Fraley earned second and third, respectively, and punched their ticket to their first Olympic Games! Ulrich’s best throw was 62.63m (205’5”) and Fraley’s was 62.54m (205’2”). Congratulations ladies!
I think we all know who took first place… I mean… Are you living under a rock?! Valarie Allman is back and better than ever! After earning the silver medal in the 2023 World Championships, she expressed how dominant she wanted to be in 2024, and that’s exactly what she’s done all season long. Her first-round throw of 67.19m (220’5”) already gave her the win, but she was far from done. She completed her series with a final throw of 70.73m (232’0”), which confirms her #1 spot in the World rankings. Valarie is going for gold in this year’s Games, and this performance showed it.
Over on the men’s side, 2016 Rio Olympian Andrew Evans won the Trials with a throw of 66.61m (218’6”) from the third round. In second place, also qualifying for his second Olympic Games, is the 2020 Tokyo Olympian Sam Mattis, with his farthest throw of 66.07m (216’9”) from the first round. Joseph Brown rounds out the competition and earns his ticket to his first Olympic Games. His sixth-round throw of 65.79m (215’10”) earned him third place.
-Javelin Throw-
In the Women’s Javelin, the 2x Olympian Maggie Malone Hardin earns her ticket to her third Olympic Games with not only the win at the Trials, but a new Meet Record! Her first-round throw of 64.58m (211’10”) granted her the win, and no one could catch up to her. She will be the sole competitor representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Finishing second is the 4x Olympian Kara Winger with a sixth-round throw of 62.94m (206’6”). Shortly after the Trials, she announced her retirement. Kara has accomplished so much in the sport of javelin, and it was a true honor to watch her compete. All her accolades are well-earned and deserved – Congratulations on a fantastic career, Kara!
Madison Wiltrout finished in third with a second-round throw of 61.17m (200’8”). It was a great competition for Wiltrout; she earned the bronze medal and did it with a new Personal Best (PB)!
Lastly, on the men’s side, the 2020 Tokyo Olympian Curtis Thompson earns his spot on his second Olympic team with the winning throw of 83.04m (272’5”). He will also be the sole competitor representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Capers Williamson claims second place with a throw of 79.57m (261’0”)(SB), and Donavon Banks earned third place with a throw of 79.19m (259’9”). Unfortunately, they did not place in the top 30 in the World rankings, so they will not compete in Paris this year. I have a feeling they will return next year to fight for their spot on Team USA for the 2025 Tokyo World Track and Field Championships.
All in all, we have a strong team representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s been said that if you can qualify for the team, you’ll likely be in medal contention at the Olympics. Being a part of Team USA has become increasingly competitive, which has led to some remarkable results. I have a feeling we will be taking home many medals this year. Go Team USA!
Who do you think will reign victorious at the Paris Olympics? I cannot wait to find out!
Throwing it far,
SGB
2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix Round-Up
As Biggie would say “I’m going going, back back, to Cali Cali”
The USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix was a great mid-season competition for the throwers. The short lineup creates a more relaxed environment for these athletes because they already qualify for finals, given they complete a legal throw within the first three rounds.
Here’s something you don’t see every day in the track and field space: A combined Men’s and Women’s Hammer Throw competition! This unique event adds a new dimension to the competition, making it a must-watch for all track and field enthusiasts.
What I find so thrilling about a co-ed competition is how the competitive energy is amplified by expanding the talent pool. This dynamic can lead to some exhilarating throws, and the atmosphere becomes charged with excitement!
Starting off for the women, USA’s Brooke Andersen wins with her throw of 77.32m (253’8”) from the second round. Also from the second round is USA’s Deanna Price’s furthest throw of 77.16 (253’2”), claiming second position. One of Canada’s finest, Camryn Rogers, comes in third with a sixth-round throw of 75.56 (247’11”). In the fourth position is USA’s Janee’ Kassanavoid, with a throw of 72.99m (239’5”) from the third round. Finland’s Silja Kosonen takes the fifth position with a throw of 70.51m (231’4”), and USA’s Annette Echikunwoke earns a sixth place with a fifth-round throw of 70.11m (230’0”). Rounding out the field, USA’s Janeah Stewart claims seventh with a fifth-round throw of 66.69m (218’9”).
On the men’s side, Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan wins with his third-round throw of 80.33m (263”6”). Claiming the second position and a new national record is Netherlands’ Denzel Comenentia with his first-round throw of 79.09m (259’5”). There was a battle for third place between USA’s Daniel Haugh and Rudy Winkler. Ultimately, it will be Haugh claiming with a throw of 76.86m (252’2”) from the third round and Winkler claiming fourth with a throw of 75.62m (248’1”) from the fifth round. USA's Alex Young claimed the fifth position with a second-round throw of 70.92m (232’8”). Rounding out the competition is Mexico’s Diego Del Real, with a fourth-round throw of 70.06m (229’10”).
Coming into the Women’s Discus, 2021 Olympic Games Champion Valarie Allman of the USA and Cuba’s Yaime Perez join the competition with lifetime PRs of above 70m. Right out of the gate, Allman sets the tone for the competition with an opening throw of 65.59m (215’2”). She then solidifies her victory with a third-round throw of 67.93m (222’10”). Perez placed second with a throw of 64.95m (213’1”), which she threw in both the third and final round. Netherlands’ Jorinde Van Klinken claims the third position with her second-round throw of 62.74m (205’10”). 2023 World Champion Laulauga Tausaga from the USA takes fourth place with her fifth-round throw of 60.83m (199’7”). Finishing fifth is Germany’s Kristin Pudenz with her third-round throw of 58.88m (193’2”), and sixth place goes to Nigeria’s Chioma Onyekwere with her fifth-round throw of 57.81m (189’8”). USA’s Elena Bruckner finishes seventh with her second-round throw of 54.65m (179’3”).
On the men’s side, Jamaica’s Roje Stona immediately claims the victory with an opening throw of 66.90m (219’6”). He then throws 3 cm further in the fifth round, solidifying the win. Chile’s Claudio Romero finishes second with a third-round throw of 64.12m (210’4”). USA’s Brian Williams and Reggie Jagers III place third and fourth, respectively, with throws of 63.36m (207’10) and 63.17m (207’3”). Samoa’s Alex Rose claims the fifth position with a third-round throw of 63.17m (207’3”). Places sixth through eighth are occupied by Team USA. Andrew Evans earns sixth with a throw of 61.68m (202’4”), Robbie Otal claims seventh with a throw of 57.99m (190’3”), and Josh Syrotchen finishes eighth with a throw of 56.67m (185’11”).
The weekend wrapped up with the Men’s Shot Put, and USA’s Joe Kovacs claimed the victory with his furthest throw of 22.93m (75’2.75”). To further assert dominance, his throws in the first five rounds were all 22m+. For places second through seventh, it was a battle of who can have the furthest 21m throw! Ultimately, USA’s Roger Steen won that battle with a throw of 21.78m (71’5.5”) from the fifth round, placing him second in the competition. Finishing third is Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, with a third-round throw of 21.78m (71’5.5”). Fourth and fifth place are separated by four cm, with USA’s Josh Awotunde throwing 21.39m (70’2.25”) in the first round and USA’s Tripp Piperi throwing 21.35m (70’0”) in the second round. Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell placed sixth with a fifth-round throw of 21.07m (69’1.5”), Tom Walsh of New Zealand placed seventh with a fourth-round throw of 21.02 (68’11.75”), and Mexico’s Uziel Munoz finishes eighth with a fifth-round throw of 20.67m (67’9.75”).
The USATF LA Grand Prix was a great mid-season competition, with several throwers reaching the Olympic Standard and beyond! This tells me that we are in for an exciting Olympic Trials this year, and these athletes are hungry for a spot on their respective national teams. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Stay tuned for the next post, where I discuss the 2024 Team USA Olympic Track and Field Trials, held at the famous Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.
Throwing it far,
SGB