View source for Discus throw

{{Short description|Event in track and field athletics}}
{{Redirect2|Discus thrower|Discus|the statue|Discobolus|other uses|Discus (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox athletics event
|event   = Discus throw
|image   = Robert Harting (2008).jpg
|caption = German 2012 Olympic champion [[Robert Harting]]
|WRmen   = {{flagathlete|[[Mykolas Alekna]]|LTU}} {{T&FcalcR|75.56}} (2025)
|ORmen   = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Roje Stona]]|JAM}} {{T&FcalcR|70.00}} (2024)}}
|CRmen   = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}} {{T&FcalcR|71.46}} (2023)}}
|WRwomen = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Gabriele Reinsch]]|GDR}} {{T&FcalcR|76.80}} (1988)}}
|ORwomen = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Martina Hellmann]]|GDR}} {{T&FcalcR|72.30}} (1988)}}
|CRwomen = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Martina Hellmann ]]|GDR}} {{T&FcalcR|71.62}} (1987)}}
}}

The '''discus throw''' ({{audio|En-us-discus.ogg|pronunciation|help=no}}), also known as disc throw, is a [[track and field]] event in which the participant [[athlete]] [[throw]]s an [[oblate spheroid]] [[weight (object)|weight]]{{snd}} called a '''discus'''{{snd}} in an attempt to mark a further distance than other competitors. It is an [[classical antiquity|ancient]] sport, as demonstrated by the fifth-century-BC [[Myron]] statue ''[[Discobolus]]''. Although not part of the current [[pentathlon]], it was one of the events of the [[Ancient Olympic pentathlon|ancient Greek pentathlon]], which can be dated back to at least 708&nbsp;BC,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/passion/collectors/object/gallery_uk.asp?ObjId=318|title=Sports – List of Summer and Winter Olympic Sports|date=14 January 2018|website=olympic.org}}</ref> and it is part of the modern [[decathlon]].

==History==
{{See also|History of physical training and fitness}}
[[Image:Diskuskastare Gbg - Alkamenes.jpg|thumb|Modern copy of the ''Diskophoros'', attributed to [[Alkamenes]]]]
The sport of throwing the discus traces back to it being an event in the [[Ancient Olympic Games|original Olympic Games]] of Ancient Greece.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/sports/sports/discus-throwing|title=Discus Throwing {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref> The discus as a sport was resurrected in [[Magdeburg]], Germany, by gymnastics teacher [[Christian Georg Kohlrausch]] and his students in the 1870s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discusnada.org/history-of-discus/|title=History of Discus|website=www.discusnada.org|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref> Organized men's competition was resumed in the late 19th century, and has been a part of the modern [[Summer Olympic Games]] since the first modern competition, the [[1896 Summer Olympics]]. Images of discus throwers figured prominently in advertising for early modern Games, such as fundraising stamps for the 1896 Games, and the main posters for the [[1920 Summer Olympics|1920]] and [[1948 Summer Olympics]]. Today the sport of discus is a routine part of modern track-and-field meets at all levels, and retains a particularly iconic place in the Olympic Games.

[[File:1920 olympics poster.jpg|thumb|The main poster for the [[1920 Summer Olympics]]]]

The first modern athlete to throw the discus while rotating the whole body was [[František Janda-Suk]] from [[Bohemia]] (the present [[Czech Republic]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Discus Throw|url=https://site.dev.aws.worldathletics.org/disciplines/throws/discus-throw|access-date=2020-10-26|website=site.dev.aws.worldathletics.org}}</ref> Janda-Suk invented this technique when studying the position of the statue of ''Discobolus''. After a year of developing the technique, he earned a silver medal in the 1900 Olympics.

Women's competition began in the first decades of the 20th century. Following competition at national and regional levels, it was added to the Olympic program for the [[1928 Summer Olympics|1928 games]].

==Regulations==
The event consists of throwing a heavy disc, with the weight or size depending on the competitor. Men and women throw different sized discs, with varying sizes and weights depending on age. The weight of the discus is either governed by [[World Athletics]] for international or [[USA Track & Field]] for the United States.

In the United States, [[Henry Canine]] advocated for a lighter-weight discus in high school competition. His suggestion was adopted by the [[National Federation of State High School Associations|National High School Athletic Association]] in 1938.<ref name="Aledo">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=90169040&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjMwMjU0NzMwOCwiaWF0IjoxNjM4ODQ1NTMxLCJleHAiOjE2Mzg5MzE5MzF9.98n1pNWF4wMNFC7BlANhG9M5MEMdBgSES0Kjq2-ixAY|title=Henry E. Canine resigns as mentor at high school in Aledo|publisher=The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa)|date=August 30, 1938|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"
|+US Weights<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/throwing-implement-weight-requirements|title=Track and Field Throwing Implement Weight Requirements Rules|website=www.everythingtrackandfield.com|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref>
|-
!Age
!Men
!Women
|-
|High School
|1.6&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|Collegiate
|2&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|Professional
|2&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|Master's (35–59)
|1.5&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|Master's (60–74)
|1&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|Master's (75+)
|1&nbsp;kg
|0.75&nbsp;kg
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table"
|+ International Weights<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules|title=Book of Rules {{!}} Official Documents|website=www.worldathletics.org|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref>
|-
!Age
!Men
!Women
|-
|-
|≤17
|1.5&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|18–19
|1.75&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|20–49
|2&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|50–59
|1.5&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|60–74
|1&nbsp;kg
|1&nbsp;kg
|-
|-
|75+
|1&nbsp;kg
|0.75&nbsp;kg
|-
|}

[[File:Sport discus for men (2 kg) IAAF certified.jpg|thumb|left|Discus (2&nbsp;kg), [[World Athletics]] certified for competitions

]]
[[File:Sport discus for men (2 kg) IAAF certified, side view.jpg|thumb|left|Side view]]
[[File:Discus longitudinal section.svg|thumb|left|Longitudinal section (schematic)]]
The typical discus has sides made of plastic, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber or metal with a metal rim and a metal core to attain the weight. The rim must be smooth, with no roughness or finger holds. A discus with more weight in the rim produces greater angular momentum for any given spin rate, and thus more stability, although it is more difficult to throw. However, a higher rim weight, if thrown correctly, can lead to a longer throw. In some competitions, a solid rubber discus is used (see [[#United States|in the United States]]).

To make a throw, the competitor starts in a circle of {{T&Fcalc|2.5|m}} diameter, which is recessed in a concrete pad by {{convert|20|mm|in}}. The thrower typically takes an initial stance facing away from the direction of the throw. They then spin anticlockwise (for right-handers) {{frac|1|1|2}} times while staying within the circle to build momentum before releasing the discus. The discus must land within a 34.92º [[circular sector]] that is centered on the throwing circle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportsaspire.com/discus-throw-rules|title=The Rules and Regulations Every Discus Thrower Should Be Aware Of|date=2009-11-04|website=Sports Aspire|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref> The rules of competition for discus are virtually identical to those of [[shot put]], except that the circle is larger, a stop board is not used and there are no form rules concerning how the discus is to be thrown.

The basic motion is a fore-handed sidearm movement. The discus is spun off the index finger or the middle finger of the throwing hand. In flight the disc spins clockwise when viewed from above for a right-handed thrower, and anticlockwise for a left-handed thrower. As well as achieving maximum momentum in the discus on throwing, the discus' distance is also determined by the trajectory the thrower imparts, as well as the aerodynamic behavior of the discus. Generally, throws into a moderate headwind achieve the maximum distance. Also, a faster-spinning discus imparts greater gyroscopic stability. The technique of discus throwing is quite difficult to master and needs much experience to perfect; thus most top throwers are 30 years old or more.

The discus throw is sometimes contested indoors, but it is not included at the [[World Athletics Indoor Championships]]. [[World Athletics]] used to keep "world indoor best" discus records, but since 2023 they now combine both indoor and outdoor marks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kanter throws 69.51m world indoor best in Växjö {{!}} NEWS {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/news/kanter-throws-6951m-world-indoor-best-in-vaxj |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Indoor track to be renamed short track by World Athletics |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/indoor-track-and-field-short-track-world-athletics |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Image:Discobolus Kleomelos Louvre G111.jpg|thumb|Discus-thrower, tondo of a [[kylix (drinking cup)|kylix]] by the Kleomelos Painter, [[Louvre Museum]]|alt=]]

[[Image:Discus Thrower Copenhagen.jpg|thumb|Modern copy of [[Myron]]'s ''[[Discobolus]]'' in [[University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden]], Denmark|alt=|none]]

==Phases==
The discus technique can be broken down into phases. The purpose is to transfer from the back to the front of the throwing circle while turning through one and a half circles. The speed of delivery is high, and speed is built up during the throw (slow to fast). Correct technique involves the buildup of torque so that maximum force can be applied to the discus on delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/step-by-step-discus-throw-technique-3258710|title=How to Throw a Discus Step-By-Step|last=Rosenbaum|first=Mike|date=2018-12-11|website=LiveAbout|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref>

[[Image:DiscusRutgerSmith6551.jpg|thumb|[[Rutger Smith]] in phases of the discus throw]]

Initially, the thrower takes up their position in the throwing circle, distributing their body weight evenly over both feet, which are roughly shoulder width apart. They crouch in order to adopt a more efficient posture to start from whilst also [[Isometric exercise#Isometric presses as preparation for explosive power movements|isometrically preloading]] their muscles; this will allow them to start faster and achieve a more powerful throw. They then begin the wind-up, which sets the tone for the entire throw; the rhythm of the wind-up and throw is very important.

Focusing on rhythm can bring about the consistency to get in the right positions that many throwers lack. Executing a sound discus throw with solid technique requires perfect balance. This is due to the throw being a linear movement combined with a one and a half rotation and an implement at the end of one arm. Thus, a good discus thrower needs to maintain balance within the circle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://digitaltrackandfield.com/shot-put-discus-technique/|title=Shot Put and Discus Technique and Training|last=Cappos|first=Scott|website=Digital Track and Field}}</ref>

For a right handed thrower, the next stage is to move the weight over the left foot. From this position the right foot is raised, and the athlete 'runs' across the circle. There are various techniques for this stage where the leg swings out to a small or great extent, some athletes turn on their left heel (e.g. Ilke Wylluda<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vr-6mTLm30| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/7vr-6mTLm30| archive-date=2021-10-31 | url-status=live|title=wyludda discus throw 1996 olympics|last=throwhammer|date=13 September 2010|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>) but turning on the ball of the foot is far more common.

The aim is to land in the 'power position', the right foot should be in the center and the heel should not touch the ground at any point. The left foot should land very quickly after the right. Weight should be mostly over the back foot with as much torque as possible in the body—so the right arm is high and far back. This is very hard to achieve.<ref>[http://trackandfield.about.com/od/discus/ss/discustechnique_8.htm#step-heading Power position] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406011758/http://trackandfield.about.com/od/discus/ss/discustechnique_8.htm#step-heading |date=2015-04-06 }}, about.com</ref>

The critical stage is the delivery of the discus, from this 'power position' the hips drive through hard, and will be facing the direction of the throw on delivery. Athletes employ various techniques to control the end-point and recover from the throw, such as fixing feet (to pretty much stop dead<ref name="auto"/>), or an active reverse spinning onto the left foot (e.g. Virgilijus Alekna<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhZwyyfBCBo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/YhZwyyfBCBo| archive-date=2021-10-31 | url-status=live|title=2005 World Championship Men's Discus - 1st Virgilijus Alekna|last=ntujavelin|date=26 December 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>).

Sports scientist [[Richard Ganslen]] researched the ''Aerodynamics of the Discus'', reporting the discus will [[Stall (fluid dynamics)|stall]] at an angle of 29°.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.auvac.org/research/publications/files/2003/niewiadomska.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-03-02 |archive-date=2016-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307060022/http://archive.auvac.org/research/publications/files/2003/niewiadomska.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Culture==
The discus throw has been the subject of a number of well-known ancient Greek statues and Roman copies such as the ''[[Discobolus]]'' and ''[[Discophoros]]''. The discus throw also appears repeatedly in ancient [[Greek mythology]], featured as a means of [[manslaughter]] in the cases of [[Hyacinth (mythology)|Hyacinth]], [[Crocus (mythology)|Crocus]], [[Phocus#Phocus.2C son of Aeacus|Phocus]], and [[Acrisius]], and as a named event in the [[funeral games]] of [[Patroclus]].

Discus throwers have been selected as a main motif in numerous collectors' coins. One of the recent samples is the €10 Greek [[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Greece)#2003 coinage|Discus commemorative coin]], minted in 2003 to commemorate the [[2004 Summer Olympics]]. On the obverse of the coin a modern athlete is seen in the foreground in a half-turned position, while in the background an ancient discus thrower has been captured in a lively bending motion, with the discus high above his head, creating a vivid representation of the sport.

==All-time top 25==
{{See also|Men's discus throw world record progression|Women's discus throw world record progression}}
{| style="wikitable"
|Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 '''discus throw marks''' and the top 25 '''athletes''':
|-
| style="background: #f6F5CE" |''- denotes top performance for '''athletes''' in the top 25 '''discus throw marks'''''
|-
|''- denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 '''discus throw marks''', by repeat athletes''
|-
| style="background: #CCFFCC" |''- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 '''athletes''' who fall outside the top 25 discus throw marks''
|}

===Men===
*Correct as of July 2025.<ref name="Top All-time Throws">[http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/throws/discus-throw/outdoor/men/senior Discus Throw - men - senior - outdoor]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-01-20.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-time men's best Discus Throw|url=http://www.alltime-athletics.com/mdiscok.htm|publisher=alltime-athletics.com|date=21 July 2019|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!scope="col"|  {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}} 
!scope="col"|  {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} 
!scope="col"|  Mark 
!scope="col"|  Athlete 
!scope="col"|  Nation 
!scope="col"|  Date 
!scope="col"|  Place 
!scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 1
| {{T&FcalcR|75.56}}
| [[Mykolas Alekna]]
| {{flagu|Lithuania}}
| 13 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name="Alekna2025Ramona">{{Cite web |date=13 April 2025 |title=Alekna shatters discus world record with 75.56m in Ramona | url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-continental-tour/news/mykolas-alekna-discus-world-record-7556m-ramona |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=[[World Athletics]]}}</ref>
|-
|
| align="center" |2
| {{T&FcalcR|74.89}}
| ''M. Alekna #2''{{efn|Typically only one throw per competition would be included on this list, however due to this throw and the subsequent throw of {{T&FcalcR|75.56}} both breaking the world record they are given special status and both are included.}}
|
| 13 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name="Alekna2025Ramona" />
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |3
| {{T&FcalcR|74.78}}
| [[Matthew Denny]]
| {{flagu|Australia}}
| 13 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name="Alekna2025Ramona" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" |4
| {{T&FcalcR|74.35}}
| ''M. Alekna #3''
| rowspan="2" |
| 14 April 2024
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=FLASH: Alekna breaks discus world record with 74.35m in Oklahoma {{!}} REPORT {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/mykolas-alekna-discus-world-record-7435m-oklahoma |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |5
| {{T&FcalcR|74.25}}
| ''Denny #2''
| 10 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=11 April 2025 |title=Denny threatens world discus record with 74.25m in Ramona | url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/matt-denny-discus-74-25-ramona |access-date=11 April 2025 |website=[[World Athletics]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 6
| {{T&FcalcR|74.08}}
| [[Jürgen Schult]]
| {{flagu|East Germany}}
| 6 June 1986
| [[Neubrandenburg]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" | 4
| align="center" | 7
| {{T&FcalcR|73.88}}
| [[Virgilijus Alekna]]
| {{flagu|Lithuania}}
| 3 August 2000
| [[Kaunas]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" | 5
| align="center" | 8
| {{T&FcalcR|73.38}}
| [[Gerd Kanter]]
| {{flagu|Estonia}}
| 4 September 2006
| [[Helsingborg]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |9
| {{T&FcalcR|72.36}}
| [[Kristjan Čeh]]
| {{flagu|Slovenia}}
| 31 May 2025
| [[Slovenska Bistrica]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Discus Throw Results|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7218994?eventId=10229620|website=World Athletics|access-date=3 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="6" |
| align="center" | 10
| {{T&FcalcR|72.34}}
| ''Čeh #2''
| rowspan="6" |
| 24 May 2025
| [[Zagreb]]
| <ref>{{cite web |title=75. Boris Hanžeković Memorial Men's Discus Throw results |url=https://online.atletika.cz/_dataPublic/pdf/resultlist_b8d43edc-b79c-499a-a6ae-14643d99ef02.pdf |website=atletika.cz |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=24 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | 11
| {{T&FcalcR|72.12}}
| ''M. Alekna #4''
| 30 May 2025
| [[College Station, Texas|College Station]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Discus Throw Results|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7222960?eventId=10229620&gender=M|website=World Athletics|access-date=3 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | 12
| {{T&FcalcR|72.11}}
| ''Čeh #3''
| 25 May 2025
| [[Ptuj]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Discus Throw Results|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7218874?eventId=10229620&gender=M|website=World Athletics|access-date=3 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | 13
| {{T&FcalcR|72.07}}
| ''Denny #3''
| 6 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name=":1" />
|-
| align="center" | 14
| {{T&FcalcR|72.02}}
| ''Kanter #2''
| 3 May 2007
| [[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|
|-
| align="center" | 15
| {{T&FcalcR|71.88}}
| ''Kanter #3''
| 8 May 2008
| [[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 7
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 16
| rowspan="2" | {{T&FcalcR|71.86}}
| [[Yuriy Dumchev]]
| {{flagu|Soviet Union}}
| 29 May 1983
| [[Moscow]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| [[Daniel Ståhl]]
| {{flagu|Sweden}}
| 29 June 2019
| [[Bottnaryd]]
| <ref>{{cite news |date=29 June 2019 |title=Stahl goes to equal fourth on the world all-time discus list with 71.86m |url=https://www.european-athletics.org/news/article=stahl-goes-equal-fourth-the-world-all-time-list-with-86m/index.html |access-date=20 July 2019 |publisher=European Athletics}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |
| align="center" |16
|{{T&FcalcR|71.86}}
| ''Čeh #4''
|
| 16 June 2023
| [[Jõhvi]]
| <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=17 June 2023 |title=Ceh and Stahl throw beyond 71 metres in Jöhvi |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/ceh-johvi-discus-stahl-71-metres |access-date=19 June 2023 |publisher=World Athletics}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center | 9
| align=center | 19
| {{T&FcalcR|71.84}}
| [[Piotr Małachowski]]
| {{flagu|Poland}}
| 8 June 2013
| [[Hengelo]]
| 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center | 10
| align=center | 20
| {{T&FcalcR|71.70}}
| [[Róbert Fazekas]]
| {{flagu|Hungary}}
| 14 July 2002
| [[Szombathely]]
| 
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center" |
| align=center | 21
| {{T&FcalcR|71.70}}
| ''M. Alekna #5''
| rowspan="3" |
| 19 July 2025
| [[London]]
| <ref name=London25>{{Cite web |title=Wanda Diamond League London {{!}} Discus Throw Men {{!}} Results |url=https://ath-wdl-archive.azureedge.net/2025/london/ATHMDISCUS--DIAMOND---FNL-000100--_C73I2_1.0.PDF |access-date=20 July 2025|date=19 July 2025|publisher=[[Diamond League]]}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 22
| {{T&FcalcR|71.64}}
| ''Kanter #4''
| 25 June 2009
| [[Kohila]]
| 
|-
| align="center" | 23
| {{T&FcalcR|71.56}}
| ''V. Alekna #2''
| 25 July 2007
| [[Kaunas]]
| 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center | 11
| align=center | 24
| {{T&FcalcR|71.50}}
| [[Lars Riedel]]
| {{flagu|Germany}}
| 3 May 1997
| [[Wiesbaden]]
| 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center | 12
| align=center | 25
| {{T&FcalcR|71.48}}
| [[Alex Rose (athlete)|Alex Rose]]
| {{flagu|Samoa}}
| 11 May 2024
| [[Allendale, Michigan|Allendale]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2024 |title=Ta Lou-Smith among athletes to shine at Jamaica Athletics Invitational |url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-continental-tour/news/ta-lou-smith-jamaica-athletics-invitational-2024 |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=World Athletics}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" | 13
| rowspan="13" align="center" |
| {{T&FcalcR|71.32}}
| [[Ben Plucknett]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 4 June 1983
| [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Ben Plucknett World Athletics Profile|url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/ben-plucknett-14353754|website=World Athletics|access-date=3 June 2025}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" | 14
| {{T&FcalcR|71.27}}
| [[Sam Mattis]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 13 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name="Alekna2025Ramona" />
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| rowspan="3" align="center" | 15
| rowspan="3" | {{T&FcalcR|71.26}}
| [[John Powell (discus thrower)|John Powell]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 9 June 1984
| [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| [[Ricky Bruch|Rickard Bruch]]
| {{flagu|Sweden}}
| 15 November 1984
| [[Malmö]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| [[Imrich Bugár]]
| {{flagu|Czechoslovakia}}
| 25 May 1985
| [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 18
| {{T&FcalcR|71.18}}
| [[Art Burns]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 19 July 1983
| [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 19
| {{T&FcalcR|71.16}}
| [[Wolfgang Schmidt (athlete)|Wolfgang Schmidt]]
| {{flagu|East Germany}}
| 9 August 1978
| [[Berlin]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 20
| {{T&FcalcR|71.14}}
| [[Anthony Washington]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 22 May 1996
| [[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 21
| {{T&FcalcR|71.06}}
| [[Luis Delís]]
| {{flagu|Cuba}}
| 21 May 1983
| [[Havana]]
| 
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" | 22
| {{T&FcalcR|71.01}}
| [[Clemens Prüfer]]
| {{flagu|Germany}}
| 13 April 2025
| [[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
| <ref name="Alekna2025Ramona" />
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 23
| {{T&FcalcR|70.98}}
| [[Mac Wilkins]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| 9 July 1980
| [[Helsinki]]
| 
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 24
| {{T&FcalcR|70.82}}
| [[Aleksander Tammert]]
| {{flagu|Estonia}}
| 15 April 2006
| [[Denton, Texas|Denton]]
| <ref>{{cite web |date=16 June 2019 |title=Discus Throw Results |url=https://static.sportresult.com/sports/at/data/2019/rabat/re0860040.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623072905/https://static.sportresult.com/sports/at/data/2019/rabat/re0860040.pdf |archive-date=2019-06-23 |access-date=23 June 2019 |work=sportresult.com}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
| align=center | 25
| {{T&FcalcR|70.78}}
| [[Fedrick Dacres]]
| {{flagu|Jamaica}}
| 16 June 2019
| [[Rabat]]
| <ref>{{cite web |author=Helmut Baudis |date=20 May 2023 |title=Lukas Weißhaidinger schreibt mit 70,68 m Sportgeschichte |url=https://www.oelv.at/de/newsshow-lukas-weisshaidinger-schreibt-mit-7068-m-sportgeschichte |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=ÖLV |language=German}}</ref>
|}
{{notelist}}

====Notable series====
*[[Matthew Denny]] had throws of 71.03, 73.46, 74.25, 72.93, 71.14 and 73.56 at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona on 10 April 2025, becoming the second man to produce six throws above 70 meters in a single competition.<ref name=":1" /> He achieved a series average of 72.72 m, which is the best in history.<ref>{{cite web |title=10cm short of WR! Australian Matthew Denny achieves second-best throw in discus history |date=11 April 2025 |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/10cm-short-of-wr-australian-matthew-denny-achieves-secondbest-throw-in-discus-history/news-story/32ab316b7b19ce6a814c4ec5a4e674fc |access-date=11 April 2025 |publisher=foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
*[[Mykolas Alekna]] had throws of 72.21, 70.32, 72.89, 70.51, 74.35 and 70.50 at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona on 14 April 2024, becoming the first man to produce three throws above 72 meters (and six throws above 70 meters) in a single competition.<ref>{{cite news|title=FLASH: Alekna breaks discus world record with 74.35m in Oklahoma|url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/mykolas-alekna-discus-world-record-7435m-oklahoma|date=15 April 2024|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
*[[Kristjan Čeh]] had throws of 71.86, 71.70 and 71.19 in Jõhvi on 16 June 2023 becoming the first man to have three throws above 71 metres in a single competition.<ref name=":0"/>
*At the 2019 Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar, [[Daniel Ståhl]] became the first man to produce six throws beyond 69.50 in a single competition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stahl sends discus beyond 70 metres in Doha – IAAF Diamond League|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/doha-diamond-league-2019-stahl|publisher=IAAF|author=Bob Ramsak|date=3 May 2019|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref>

====Annulled marks====
*[[Ben Plucknett]] also threw a world record of 72.34 in Stockholm on 7 July 1981. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.
*[[Kamy Keshmiri]] threw 70.84 in Salinas on 27 May 1992. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.

====Non-legal marks====
*[[Rickard Bruch]] also threw 72.18 at an exhibition meeting in Piteå on 23 July 1974.
*[[John Powell (discus thrower)|John Powell]] also threw 72.08 in Klagshamn on 11 September 1987, but the throw was made onto a sloping/downhill sector.

===Women===
*Correct as of April 2025.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/throws/discus-throw/outdoor/women/senior Discus Throw - women - senior - outdoor]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2014-01-20.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-time women's best Discus Throw|url=http://www.alltime-athletics.com/wdiscok.htm|publisher=alltime-athletics.com|date=23 June 2019|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}} !! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} !! Mark !! Athlete !! Nation !! Date !! Place !! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|1 || align=center|1 || {{T&FcalcR|76.80}} || [[Gabriele Reinsch]] || {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 9 July 1988 || [[Neubrandenburg]] || 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| rowspan=2 align=center|2 || rowspan=2 align=center|2 || rowspan=2|{{T&FcalcR|74.56}} || [[Zdeňka Šilhavá]] || {{flagu|Czechoslovakia}}|| 26 August 1984 || [[Nitra]] || 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| [[Ilke Wyludda]] || {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 23 July 1989 || [[Neubrandenburg]] || 
|-
| rowspan=2| || align=center|4 || {{T&FcalcR|74.44}} || ''Reinsch #2'' || rowspan=2| || 13 September 1988 || [[Berlin]]||
|-
| align=center|5 || {{T&FcalcR|74.40}} || ''Wyludda #2'' || 13 September 1988 || [[Berlin]]||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|4 || align=center|6 || {{T&FcalcR|74.08}} || [[Diana Gansky]] || {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 20 June 1987 || [[Karl-Marx-Stadt]] || 
|-
| || align=center|7 || {{T&FcalcR|73.90}} || ''Gansky #2'' || || 27 June 1987 || [[Prague]] || 
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |5
| align="center" |8
|{{T&FcalcR|73.84}}
|[[Daniela Costian]]
|{{flagu|Romania|1965}}
|30 April 1988
|[[Bucharest]]
|
|-
| align="center" |
| align="center" |9
|{{T&FcalcR|73.78}}
|''Costian #2''
|
|24 April 1988
|[[Bucharest]]
|
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |10
|{{T&FcalcR|73.52}}
|[[Valarie Allman]]
|{{flagu|United States}}
|12 April 2025
|[[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
|<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=12 April 2025 |title=Allman throws 73.52m North American discus record in Ramona |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/valarie-allman-north-american-discus-record-ramona |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=[[World Athletics]]}}</ref>
|-
|
| align="center" |11 || {{T&FcalcR|73.42}} || ''Reinsch #3'' 
| || 12 June 1988 || [[Karl-Marx-Stadt]] ||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |7 || align="center" |12 || {{T&FcalcR|73.36}} || [[Irina Meszynski]]|| {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 17 August 1984 || [[Prague]]||
|-
| || align="center" |13 || {{T&FcalcR|73.32}} || ''Gansky #2''|| || 11 June 1987 || [[Neubrandenburg]]||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |8 || align="center" |14 || {{T&FcalcR|73.28}} || [[Galina Savinkova]]|| {{flagu|Soviet Union}}|| 8 September 1984 || [[Donetsk]]||
|-
| rowspan="3" | || rowspan="2" align="center" |15 || rowspan="2" |{{T&FcalcR|73.26}} || ''Savinkova #2'' || rowspan="3" | || 22 May 1983 || [[Leselidze (town)|Leselidze]] ||
|-
| ''Gansky #3'' || 6 June 1986 || [[Neubrandenburg]] || 
|-
| align=center|17 || {{T&FcalcR|73.24}} || ''Gansky #4'' || 29 May 1987 || [[Leipzig]] ||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|9 || align="center" |18 || {{T&FcalcR|73.22}} || [[Tsvetanka Khristova]] || {{flagu|Bulgaria|1971}} || 19 April 1987 || [[Kazanlak]] || 
|-
| || align=center|19 || {{T&FcalcR|73.16}} || ''Wyludda #3'' || || 13 September 1988 || [[Berlin]]||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|10 || align="center" |20 || {{T&FcalcR|73.10}} || [[Gisela Beyer]] || {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 20 July 1984 || [[Berlin]]||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|align=center|11
|align=center|21
|{{T&FcalcR|73.09}}
|[[Yaime Pérez]]
|{{flagu|Cuba}}
|13 April 2024
|[[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perez launches discus 73.09m, Sears clocks 10.77 for 100m {{!}} REPORT {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/yaime-perez-discus-73-09m-jacious-sears-10-77-100m |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | || rowspan="2" align="center" |22 || rowspan="2" |{{T&FcalcR|73.04}} || ''Gansky #5'' || rowspan="4" | || 6 June 1987 || [[Potsdam]] ||
|-
| ''Wyludda #4'' || 5 August 1989 || [[Gateshead]] || 
|-
| align=center|24 || {{T&FcalcR|72.96}} || ''Savinkova #3'' || 23 June 1985 || [[Erfurt]] || 
|-
| align=center|25 || {{T&FcalcR|72.94}} || ''Gansky #6'' || 9 July 1988 || [[Neubrandenburg]] || 
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|12 || rowspan="14" align="center" | || {{T&FcalcR|72.92}} || [[Martina Hellmann]] || {{flagu|East Germany}}|| 20 August 1987 || [[Potsdam]] || 
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |13
| {{T&FcalcR|72.14}} || [[Galina Murašova|Galina Murashova]] || {{flagu|Soviet Union}}
|17 August 1984
|[[Prague]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |14
| {{T&FcalcR|71.80}} || [[Mariya Petkova|Mariya Vergova]]|| {{flagu|Bulgaria}}
|13 July 1980
|[[Sofia]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |15
| {{T&FcalcR|71.68}} || [[Xiao Yanling]]|| {{flagu|China}}
|14 March 1992
|[[Beijing]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |16
| {{T&FcalcR|71.58}} || [[Ellina Zvereva]]|| {{flagu|Soviet Union}}
|12 June 1988
|[[Leningrad]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |17
| {{T&FcalcR|71.50}} || [[Evelin Jahl]]|| {{flagu|East Germany}}
|10 May 1980
|[[Potsdam]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |18
|{{T&FcalcR|71.41}}
|[[Sandra Perković]]|| {{flagu|Croatia}}
|18 July 2017
|[[Bellinzona]]
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Perkovic throws 71.41m in Bellinzona, world's best discus mark since 1992 |url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/castelli-bellinzona-2017-perkovic |publisher=IAAF |author=Diego Sampaolo |date=19 July 2017 |access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |19
| {{T&FcalcR|71.30}} || [[Larisa Korotkevich]]|| {{flagu|Russia|1991}}
|29 May 1992
|[[Sochi]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |20
| {{T&FcalcR|71.22}} || [[Ria Stalman]]|| {{flagu|Netherlands}}
|15 July 1984
|[[Walnut, California|Walnut]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |21
| {{T&FcalcR|70.88}} || [[Hilda Ramos]]|| {{flagu|Cuba}}
|8 May 1992
|[[Havana]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |22
| {{T&FcalcR|70.80}} || [[Larisa Mikhalchenko]]|| {{flagu|Soviet Union}}
|18 June 1988
|[[Kharkiv]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |23
| {{T&FcalcR|70.72}}|| [[Laulauga Tausaga]]|| {{flagu|United States}}
|12 April 2025
|[[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
|<ref name=":3" />
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |24
| {{T&FcalcR|70.68}} || [[Maritza Martén]]|| {{flagu|Cuba}}
|18 July 1992
|[[Seville]]
|
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |25
| {{T&FcalcR|70.65}} || [[Denia Caballero]]|| {{flagu|Cuba}}
|20 June 2015
|[[Bilbao]]
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Denia Caballero sets Discus world lead of 70.65, Pichardo debuts in long jump|url=http://www.watchathletics.com/article/9067/denia-caballero-sets-discus-world-lead-of-70-65-pichardo-debuts-in-long-jump/|publisher=watchathletics.com|date=21 June 2015|access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref>
|}

====Annulled marks====
*[[Daniela Costian]] of Romania threw a best of 73.48 in Bucharest on 30 April 1988. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.
*[[Darya Pishchalnikova]] of Russia threw a best of 70.69 in Cheboksary on 5 July 2012. This performance was annulled due to doping offences.

====Non-legal marks====
*[[Martina Hellmann]] also threw 78.14 at an unofficial meeting in Berlin on 6 September 1988.
*[[Ilke Wyludda]] also threw 75.36 at an unofficial meeting in Berlin on 6 September 1988.

==Olympic medalists==
===Men===
{{Olympic medalists in men's discus throw}}

===Women===
{{Olympic medalists in women's discus throw}}

==World Championships medalists==
===Men===
{{World Championships in Athletics medalists in men's discus throw}}

===Women===
{{World Championships in Athletics medalists in women's discus throw}}

==Season's bests==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Men===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%;"
|-
!Year
!Mark
!Athlete
!Place
|-
|[[1968 in the sport of athletics|1968]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.40}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jay Silvester]]|USA}}
|[[Reno, Nevada|Reno]]
|-
|1969
|{{T&FcalcR|68.06}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rickard Bruch]]|SWE}}
|[[Malmö]]
|-
|1970
|{{T&FcalcR|67.14}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rickard Bruch]]|SWE}}
|[[Malmö]]
|-
|1971
|{{T&FcalcR|70.38}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jay Silvester]]|USA}}
|[[Lancaster, California|Lancaster]]
|-
|1972
|{{T&FcalcR|68.40}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rickard Bruch]]|SWE}}
|Stockholm
|-
|1973
|{{T&FcalcR|67.58}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rickard Bruch]]|SWE}}
|[[Skellefteå]]
|-
|1974
|{{T&FcalcR|68.16}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rickard Bruch]]|SWE}}
|[[Helsingborg]]
|-
|1975
|{{T&FcalcR|69.08}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Powell (discus thrower)|John Powell]]|USA}}
|[[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]
|-
|1976
|{{T&FcalcR|70.86}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mac Wilkins]]|USA}}
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
|-
|1977
|{{T&FcalcR|69.20}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mac Wilkins]]|USA}}
| [[Westwood, Los Angeles|Westwood]]
|-
|1978
|{{T&FcalcR|71.16}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Wolfgang Schmidt (athlete)|Wolfgang Schmidt]]|GER}}
|Berlin
|-
|[[1979 in the sport of athletics|1979]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.66}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mac Wilkins]]|USA}}
|[[Walnut]]
|-
|[[1980 in the sport of athletics|1980]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.98}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mac Wilkins]]|USA}}
|[[Erfurt]]
|-
|[[1981 in the sport of athletics|1981]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.98}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Powell (discus thrower)|John Powell]]|USA}}
|[[Modesto, California|Modesto]]
|-
|[[1982 in the sport of athletics|1982]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.58}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Luis Delís]]|CUB}}
|[[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|-
|[[1983 in the sport of athletics|1983]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.86}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Yuriy Dumchev]]|RUS}}
|[[Moscow|Moskva]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[1984 in the sport of athletics|1984]]
|rowspan=2|{{T&FcalcR|71.26}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Powell (discus thrower)|John Powell]]|USA}}
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
|-
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ricky Bruch]]|SWE}}
|[[Malmö]]
|-
|[[1985 in the sport of athletics|1985]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.26}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Imrich Bugár]]|TCH}}
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
|-
|[[1986 in the sport of athletics|1986]]
|{{T&FcalcR|74.08}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jürgen Schult]]|GER}}
|[[Neubrandenburg]]
|-
|[[1987 in the sport of athletics|1987]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.52}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jürgen Schult]]|GER}}
|[[Neubrandenburg]]
|-
|[[1988 in the sport of athletics|1988]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.46}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jürgen Schult]]|GDR}}
|Berlin
|-
|[[1989 in the sport of athletics|1989]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.92}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Wolfgang Schmidt (athlete)|Wolfgang Schmidt]]|GER}}
|[[Norden, Lower Saxony|Norden]]
|-
|[[1990 in the sport of athletics|1990]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.94}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Romas Ubartas]]|LTU}}
|[[Smalininkai]]
|-
|[[1991 in the sport of athletics|1991]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.36}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mike Buncic]]|USA}}
|[[Fresno]]
|-
|[[1992 in the sport of athletics|1992]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.04}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jürgen Schult]]|GER}}
|[[Halle (Saale)|Halle]]
|-
|[[1993 in the sport of athletics|1993]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.42}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Lars Riedel]]|GER}}
|[[Jena]]
|-
|[[1994 in the sport of athletics|1994]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.58}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Attila Horváth (discus thrower)|Attila Horváth]]|HUN}}
|[[Budapest]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[1995 in the sport of athletics|1995]]
|rowspan=2|{{T&FcalcR|69.08}}
|rowspan=2 align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Lars Riedel]]|GER}}
|[[Bellinzona]]
|-
|[[Monaco]]
|-
|[[1996 in the sport of athletics|1996]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.14}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Anthony Washington]]|USA}}
|[[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|-
|[[1997 in the sport of athletics|1997]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.50}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Lars Riedel]]|GER}}
|[[Wiesbaden]]
|-
|[[1998 in the sport of athletics|1998]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.91}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Godina]]|USA}}
|[[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|-
|[[1999 in the sport of athletics|1999]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.18}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Lars Riedel]]|GER}}
|[[Jena]]
|-
|[[2000 in the sport of athletics|2000]]
|{{T&FcalcR|73.88}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Virgilijus Alekna]]|LTU}}
|[[Kaunas]]
|-
|[[2001 in the sport of athletics|2001]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.99}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Virgilijus Alekna]]|LTU}}
|[[Stellenbosch]]
|-
|[[2002 in the sport of athletics|2002]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.70}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Róbert Fazekas]]|HUN}}
|[[Szombathely]]
|-
|[[2003 in the sport of athletics|2003]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.78}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Róbert Fazekas]]|HUN}}
|[[Budapest]]
|-
|[[2004 in the sport of athletics|2004]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.97}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Virgilijus Alekna]]|LTU}}
|[[Rethimno]]
|-
|[[2005 in the sport of athletics|2005]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.67}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Virgilijus Alekna]]|LTU}}
|[[Madrid]]
|-
|[[2006 in the sport of athletics|2006]]
|{{T&FcalcR|73.38}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gerd Kanter]]|EST}}
|[[Helsingborg]]
|-
|[[2007 in the sport of athletics|2007]]
|{{T&FcalcR|72.02}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gerd Kanter]]|EST}}
|[[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|-
|[[2008 in the sport of athletics|2008]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.88}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gerd Kanter]]|EST}}
|[[Salinas, California|Salinas]]
|-
|[[2009 in the sport of athletics|2009]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.64}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gerd Kanter]]|EST}}
|[[Kohila]]
|-
|[[2010 in the sport of athletics|2010]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.45}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gerd Kanter]]|EST}}
|[[Chula Vista]]
|-
|[[2011 in the sport of athletics|2011]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.50}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Zoltán Kővágó]]|HUN}}
|[[Budapest]]
|-
|[[2012 in the sport of athletics|2012]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.66}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Robert Harting]]|GER}}
|[[Turnov]]
|-
|[[2013 in the sport of athletics|2013]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.84}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Piotr Małachowski]]|POL}}
|[[Hengelo]]
|-
|[[2014 in the sport of athletics|2014]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.28}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Piotr Małachowski]]|POL}}
|[[Halle (Saale)|Halle]]
|-
|[[2015 in the sport of athletics|2015]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.29}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Piotr Małachowski]]|POL}}
|[[Cetniewo]]
|-
|[[2016 in the sport of athletics|2016]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.72}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Sollentuna Municipality|Sollentuna]]
|-
|[[2017 in the sport of athletics|2017]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.29}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Sollentuna Municipality|Sollentuna]] 
|-
|[[2018 in the sport of athletics|2018]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.72}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Eskilstuna]]
|-
|[[2019 in the sport of athletics|2019]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.86}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Bottnaryd]]
|-
|[[2020 in the sport of athletics|2020]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.37}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Sollentuna Municipality|Sollentuna]] 
|-
|[[2021 in the sport of athletics|2021]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.40}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Bottnaryd]]
|-
|[[2022 in the sport of athletics|2022]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.47}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ståhl]]|SWE}}
|[[Uppsala]]
|-
|[[2023 in the sport of athletics|2023]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.86}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Kristjan Čeh]]|SLO}}
|[[Jöhvi]]
|-
|[[2024 in the sport of athletics|2024]]
|{{T&FcalcR|74.35}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mykolas Alekna]]|LIT}}
|[[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
|}
{{col-2}}

===Women===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%;"
|-
!Year
!Mark
!Athlete
!Place
|-
|[[1968 in the sport of athletics|1968]]
|{{T&FcalcR|62.54}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Liesel Westermann]]|FRG}}
|[[Werdohl]]
|-
|1969
|{{T&FcalcR|63.96}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Liesel Westermann]]|FRG}}
|[[Hamburg]]
|-
|1970
|{{T&FcalcR|63.66}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Karin Illgen]]|GDR}}
|[[Leipzig]]
|-
|1971
|{{T&FcalcR|64.88}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Faina Melnik]]|URS}}
|[[Munich]]
|-
|1972
|{{T&FcalcR|67.32}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Argentina Menis]]|ROU|1965}}
|[[Constanța]]
|-
|1973
|{{T&FcalcR|69.48}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Faina Melnik]]|URS}}
|[[Edinburgh]]
|-
|1974
|{{T&FcalcR|69.90}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Faina Melnik]]|URS}}
|[[Prague]]
|-
|1975
|{{T&FcalcR|70.20}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Faina Melnik]]|URS}}
|[[Zürich]]
|-
|1976
|{{T&FcalcR|70.50}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Faina Melnik]]|URS}}
|[[Sochi]]
|-
|1977
|{{T&FcalcR|68.92}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sabine Engel]]|GDR}}
|[[Karl-Marx-Stadt]]
|-
|1978
|{{T&FcalcR|70.72}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Evelin Jahl]]|GDR}}
|[[Dresden]]
|-
|[[1979 in the sport of athletics|1979]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.82}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Evelin Jahl]]|GDR}}
|[[Leipzig]]
|-
|[[1980 in the sport of athletics|1980]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.80}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mariya Petkova]]|BUL}}
|[[Sofia]]
|-
|[[1981 in the sport of athletics|1981]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.46}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Evelin Jahl]]|GDR}}
|Berlin
|-
|[[1982 in the sport of athletics|1982]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.40}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Irina Meszynski]]|GDR}}
|[[Karl-Marx-Stadt]]
|-
|[[1983 in the sport of athletics|1983]]
|{{T&FcalcR|73.26}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Galina Savinkova]]|URS}}
|[[Leselidze (town)|Leselidze]]
|-
|[[1984 in the sport of athletics|1984]]
|{{T&FcalcR|74.56}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Zdeňka Šilhavá]]|TCH}}
|[[Nitra]]
|-
|[[1985 in the sport of athletics|1985]]
|{{T&FcalcR|72.96}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Galina Savinkova]]|URS}}
|[[Erfurt]]
|-
|[[1986 in the sport of athletics|1986]]
|{{T&FcalcR|73.26}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Diana Gansky]]|GDR}}
|[[Neubrandenburg]]
|-
|[[1987 in the sport of athletics|1987]]
|{{T&FcalcR|74.08}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Diana Gansky]]|GDR}}
|[[Karl-Marx-Stadt]]
|-
|[[1988 in the sport of athletics|1988]]
|{{T&FcalcR|76.80}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gabriele Reinsch]]|GDR}}
|[[Neubrandenburg]]
|-
|[[1989 in the sport of athletics|1989]]
|{{T&FcalcR|74.56}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ilke Wyludda]]|GDR}}
|[[Neubrandenburg]]
|-
|[[1990 in the sport of athletics|1990]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.10}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ilke Wyludda]]|GDR}}
|[[Tel Aviv]]
|-
|[[1991 in the sport of athletics|1991]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.02}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Tsvetanka Khristova]]|BUL}}
|Tokyo
|-
|[[1992 in the sport of athletics|1992]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.68}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Xiao Yanling]]|CHN}}
|[[Beijing]]
|-
|[[1993 in the sport of athletics|1993]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.14}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Larisa Korotkevich]]|RUS|1991}}
|[[Vénissieux]]
|-
|[[1994 in the sport of athletics|1994]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.58}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Daniela Costian]]|AUS}}
|[[Auckland]]
|-
|[[1995 in the sport of athletics|1995]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.68}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mette Bergmann]]|NOR}}
|[[Florø]]
|-
|[[1996 in the sport of athletics|1996]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.66}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ilke Wyludda]]|GER}}
|[[Atlanta]]
|-
|[[1997 in the sport of athletics|1997]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.00}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Xiao Yanling]]|CHN}}
|[[Shanghai]]
|-
|[[1998 in the sport of athletics|1998]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.91}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Franka Dietzsch]]|GER}}
|[[Stendal]]
|-
|[[1999 in the sport of athletics|1999]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.02}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Natalya Sadova]]|RUS}}
|[[Thessaloníki]]
|-
|[[2000 in the sport of athletics|2000]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.70}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Nicoleta Grasu]]|ROU}}
|[[Bucharest]]
|-
|[[2001 in the sport of athletics|2001]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.57}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Natalya Sadova]]|RUS}}
|[[Edmonton]]
|-
|[[2002 in the sport of athletics|2002]]
|{{T&FcalcR|67.73}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Natalya Sadova]]|RUS}}
|[[Tula, Russia|Tula]]
|-
|[[2003 in the sport of athletics|2003]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.38}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Natalya Sadova]]|RUS}}
|[[Halle (Saale)|Halle]]
|-
|[[2004 in the sport of athletics|2004]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.14}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Irina Yatchenko]]|BLR}}
|[[Minsk]]
|-
|[[2005 in the sport of athletics|2005]]
|{{T&FcalcR|66.81}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Vera Cechlová]]|CZE}}
|[[Madrid]]
|-
|[[2006 in the sport of athletics|2006]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.51}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Franka Dietzsch]]|GER}}
|[[Schönebeck]]
|-
|[[2007 in the sport of athletics|2007]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.06}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Franka Dietzsch]]|GER}}
|[[Halle (Saale)|Halle]]
|-
|[[2008 in the sport of athletics|2008]]
|{{T&FcalcR|66.51}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Nicoleta Grasu]]|ROU}}
|[[Istanbul]]
|-
|[[2009 in the sport of athletics|2009]]
|{{T&FcalcR|66.40}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Li Yanfeng]]|CHN}}
|[[Jinan]]
|-
|[[2010 in the sport of athletics|2010]]
|{{T&FcalcR|67.78}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Nadine Müller (athlete)|Nadine Müller]]|GER}}
|[[Wiesbaden]]
|-
|[[2011 in the sport of athletics|2011]]
|{{T&FcalcR|67.98}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Li Yanfeng]]|CHN}}
|[[Schönebeck]]
|-
|[[2012 in the sport of athletics|2012]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.11}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|London
|-
|[[2013 in the sport of athletics|2013]]
|{{T&FcalcR|68.96}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|[[Lausanne]]
|-
|[[2014 in the sport of athletics|2014]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.08}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|[[Zürich]]
|-
|[[2015 in the sport of athletics|2015]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.65}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Denia Caballero]]|CUB}}
|[[Bilbao]]
|-
|[[2016 in the sport of athletics|2016]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.88}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|[[Shanghai]]
|-
|[[2017 in the sport of athletics|2017]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.41}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|[[Barcelona]]
|-
|[[2018 in the sport of athletics|2018]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.38}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sandra Perković]]|CRO}}
|[[Doha]]
|-
|[[2019 in the sport of athletics|2019]]
|{{T&FcalcR|69.39}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Yaime Pérez]]|CUB}}
|[[Sotteville-lès-Rouen|Sotteville]]
|-
|[[2020 in the sport of athletics|2020]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.15}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valarie Allman]]|USA}}
|[[Rathdrum, Idaho|Rathdrum]]
|-
|[[2021 in the sport of athletics|2021]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.16}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valarie Allman]]|USA}}
|Berlin
|-
|[[2022 in the sport of athletics|2022]]
|{{T&FcalcR|71.46}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valarie Allman]]|USA}}
|[[San Diego]]
|-
|[[2023 in the sport of athletics|2023]]
|{{T&FcalcR|70.47}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valarie Allman]]|USA}}
|[[Berlin]]
|-
|[[2024 in the sport of athletics|2024]]
|{{T&FcalcR|73.09}}
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Yaime Pérez]]|CUB}}
|[[Ramona, Oklahoma|Ramona]]
|}
{{col-end}}

==See also==
* [[List of discus throw national champions (men)]]
* [[United States champions in women's discus throw]]
* {{portal-inline|Sport of athletics}}

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Discus throw}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071128113423/http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_86.pdf World Record]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090727165807/http://trackfieldevents.com/history/discus-history Discus History]
*[https://iaaf.gekko.de/?a=throws&d=discus-throw IAAF list of discus-throw records in XML]

{{Athletics events}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Discus Throw}}
[[Category:Discus throw| ]]
[[Category:Events in track and field]]
[[Category:Athletic culture based on Greek antiquity]]
[[Category:Ancient Olympic sports]]
[[Category:Throwing sports]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic disciplines in athletics]]