Men’s discus world record broken after 38 years

Mykolas Alekna produced a throw of 74.35m in the discus to break the longest-standing men’s world record.

The Lithuanian’s fifth effort at a throws meet in Ramona, Oklahoma was initially measured at 74.41m but later revised down by six cm.

The new record broke that set by German Jurgen Schult, who threw 74.08m in 1986.

World Athletics said the new mark by Alekna, 21, was subject to the usual ratification process.

Alekna won silver and bronze at the 2022 and 2023 world championships respectively.

His record throw dropped his father Virgilijus, who was Olympic champion in both 2000 and 2004, down to third on the all-time list with his 73.88m in 2000.