During the Oklahoma Throws Series tournament on Sunday, Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania broke a world record in the discus throw that had stood since 1986. Alekna’s throw of 74.35 meters exceeded the record of 74.08 meters set on June 6, 1986 by Jurgen Schult of Germany.
World Athletics states that Alekna’s throw was later amended from its initial measurement of 74.41 meters. Ratification is a requirement for the record. Alekna, a 21-year-old University of California junior, has won two medals in the world outdoor championships.
He won bronze in Hungary last summer and silver in Oregon in 2022 Worlds. His career-best throw moved his father, Virgilijus, up to third place. In 2000, Virgilijus Alekna threw 73.88 meters.
The day before Mykolas Alekna’s spectacular day, Cuba’s Yaimé Perez set a record for the longest women’s discus throw since 1989 with a toss of 73.09 meters.