Sweden’s Daniel Stahl successfully defended his title to become a three-time winner of the world discus title at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Sunday (21).
After a dramatic rain-affected contest, his 70.47m throw in the last round saw him become the final gold medallist of the nine-day championships at the Japan National Stadium.
He denied Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna a first senior global title, the world record-holder getting silver with 67.84m. There was a big first for Alex Rose, however, as the 33-year-old secured Samoa’s first ever global medal in athletics with a throw of 66.96m for bronze.
The event had been subject to a big rain delay, meaning all eyes were on the circle when it resumed after all the other action had finished. Alekna had led from the second round until the fifth, but he had no response when Stahl unleashed his best from his last attempt.
He adds this latest title to his world gold medals from 2019 and 2023 – the latter also won with his final throw of the competition. It was also another win for him in Tokyo, four years on from his Olympic triumph.
“This was my first rainy championships ever. I tried to focus today as much as possible, focus on not giving up and just staying positive,” said Stahl, who danced in the rain with a blue umbrella to match his shorts while waiting to take his first throw before the break.
“Sometimes things like this happen. There are delays, the competition takes time. I just tried to reboot my energy. Mentally, I was ready for the last throw. I prepared myself for it. This is my favourite arena of all time. It was special in 2021, and it has been special again tonight.”
The competition originally started at 8:10pm local time, as the rain was pouring down. Alekna managed to get one valid throw in – 62.91m – but Denny slipped in the circle from the next attempt of the competition and proceedings were paused.
The competition restarted a couple of hours later and Stahl opened with a big foul throw. Alekna took the lead from his next attempt – 67.84m – and that’s where he stayed until the final round.
Australia’s Matt Denny, who sits second on the world all-time list, was in bronze medal position on 65.57m from the third round until Rose managed 66.96m from his fifth attempt to replace him on the podium. It ended up being a historic throw.
Rose fouled his final attempt and then embraced Stahl after being confirmed as the bronze medallist. Stahl bowed before entering the circle for his final attempt and let out a roar when it landed beyond the 70-metre mark.
Only Alekna stood in the way of his third world title but it wasn’t to be for the world record-holder, who added a silver to the bronze he won in Budapest two years ago.
Denny finished fourth and Cuba’s Mario Diaz fifth. Two more Lithuanian athletes finished in the top seven – 2017 world champion Andrius Gudzius placing sixth, one spot ahead of the other Alekna brother in the field, Martynas. Slovenia’s 2022 world gold medallist Kristjan Ceh was eighth.
“Having the men’s discus throw as the last event of the championships, I don’t think it ever happened before,” said Mykolas Alekna. “At first, after the competition finished, I was a little disappointed. But I know I did everything I could to fight for the gold.
“Daniel is an amazing guy. I cannot be mad at him. He’s an absolute legend and I’m really thankful for this opportunity to share the field with him. I hope the day comes when I beat Daniel at a major competition.”
Rose described his medal win as a dream come true. “This is one of the greatest moments of my entire life and it’s been 20 years in the making,” he added. “I was never the favourite. I did not throw 60 metres until I was out of college, I didn’t make a final until I was 30 years old. I almost quit so many times. The last time I was here I failed to make the final. I fell on my face and almost quit the sport.
“To come back here and do what I just did, there is no feeling like it. The young Pacific Island athletes, never give up. I work a full-time job and took time off to from my company to compete here.”
Jess Whittington for World Athletics
AloJapan.com