Gwen Berry Sets American Record In Hammer Throw
Gwen Berry Sets American Record In Hammer Throw
Gwen Berry broke the American record in the hammer throw, winning with a mark of 76.31m/250-4 at the Tucson Elite Classic in Arizona.
Gwen Berry’s torrid start to the outdoor season took on a record-setting tone on Saturday when she won the hammer throw with a mark of 76.31m/250-4, the best throw in U.S. history, at the Tucson Elite Classic in Arizona.
The previous American record of 75.53m/248-5 was set by Amanda Bingson in 2013.
Berry’s record-setting throw marked a continuation of what has been a monster breakthrough in 2016 for the one-time triple jumper. The Southern Illinois alum went unbeaten in the weight throw during the indoor season and owned the best throw in the world at 24.51/80-5.
This outdoor season, the 26-year-old, who works three jobs to fund her training and competition travel, has won five of her six hammer competitions, including triumphant marks of 75.11m/246-5 at the Tiger Invitational at Memphis on April 29 and 73.82m/242-2 at the Jamaica Invitational in Kingston on May 7.
Berry’s effort is the latest in what has been remarkable week of hammer throwing across the globe.
On Wednesday, China’s Zhang Wenxiu took the world lead from Berry with a throw of 75.58m/247-11 at the World Challenge Meeting in Beijing. On Friday, world-record-holder Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland threw a world-leading 78.54m/257-8 to break the meet record at the Golden Spike Meeting in Ostrava. Earlier on Saturday, Wlodarczyk improved her world lead to 79.48m/260-9 at the Hallesche Werfertage throws meeting in Halle, Germany.
Berry’s American record now ranks No. 2 in the world this season and stamps her as an early medal contender ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics. No American woman has won a medal in the hammer throw at the Olympics or at the World Championships.
The previous American record of 75.53m/248-5 was set by Amanda Bingson in 2013.
Berry’s record-setting throw marked a continuation of what has been a monster breakthrough in 2016 for the one-time triple jumper. The Southern Illinois alum went unbeaten in the weight throw during the indoor season and owned the best throw in the world at 24.51/80-5.
RECORD ALERT
— USATF (@usatf) May 21, 2016
@BeRRy_EDible throws an AR 76.31m/250-4 in women's hammer!
@JoeKovacsUSA pic.twitter.com/1n0Dgs3y3Q
This outdoor season, the 26-year-old, who works three jobs to fund her training and competition travel, has won five of her six hammer competitions, including triumphant marks of 75.11m/246-5 at the Tiger Invitational at Memphis on April 29 and 73.82m/242-2 at the Jamaica Invitational in Kingston on May 7.
Berry’s effort is the latest in what has been remarkable week of hammer throwing across the globe.
On Wednesday, China’s Zhang Wenxiu took the world lead from Berry with a throw of 75.58m/247-11 at the World Challenge Meeting in Beijing. On Friday, world-record-holder Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland threw a world-leading 78.54m/257-8 to break the meet record at the Golden Spike Meeting in Ostrava. Earlier on Saturday, Wlodarczyk improved her world lead to 79.48m/260-9 at the Hallesche Werfertage throws meeting in Halle, Germany.
Berry’s American record now ranks No. 2 in the world this season and stamps her as an early medal contender ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics. No American woman has won a medal in the hammer throw at the Olympics or at the World Championships.