A Nanaimo native has once again taken a national title in hammer throw.
Ethan Katzberg, who trains at Kamloops Track and Field Club, won his fourth-straight hammer throw championship at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Ottawa on Saturday, June 20, in the senior category – his best throw went 81.13 metres, a press release stated.
His first throw went 78.80 m, his second 80.06 m, third 75.36 m, fourth 80.06 m, fifth 80.72 m with the 81.13 m in his sixth try.
Katzberg was pleased with his performance.
“I was happy with the result today,” he stated in the release. “It took a little bit to get into it. Sixth throw, best one. (It) feels good competing in Ottawa and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Finishing behind Katzberg, Rowan Hamilton (Richmond, B.C.) in second and Andreas Troschke (Lethbridge, Alta.) in third.
The John Barsby Community School grad captured gold in hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, with an 84.12-m throw. He is also a two-time world hammer throw champion and most recently won gold with an 84.70-m throw at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
It was announced on Wednesday, June 24 that Katzberg will represent Canada at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games which go from July 23 to Aug. 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.