Katzberg captures 5th straight hammer throw win of season, topping 80 metres in Norway

Ethan Katzberg wasn't a model of consistency Wednesday, but he only needed one strong throw to win his fifth consecutive men's hammer throw competition to start the 2025 season.

The reigning world and Olympic champion from Nanaimo, B.C., was the lone athlete in the field of seven to surpass 80 metres, throwing 80.19 in his third of six attempts at the Bislett Games Diamond League track and field meet in Oslo, Norway.

Katzberg, 23, came close to the 81.92 meet record by 36-year-old Wojciech Nowicki of Poland who was seventh (72.65) on a mostly sunny Wednesday at Bislett Stadium, where the temperature reached 17 C.

"I think I had a good result, maybe could have [had] a little more," said Katzberg. "I have been over here in Europe for a while now, so this is my last competition here and I am returning home."

Katzberg, who was third in Oslo two years ago, arrived at the stadium Wednesday fresh off an 80.15 performance at the June 3 Trond Mohn Games in Norway.

On May 31, the world's top-ranked men's hammer thrower was victorious at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya, delivering a season-best and world-leading 82.73.

WATCH | Katzberg wins Kip Keino title in Nairobi:

Canada's Katzberg captures World Athletics Continental Tour hammer throw victory

Ukraine's Mykhalo Kokhan made is a close competition Wednesday with a 79.95 final throw for second, after the Canadian's 79.74 effort.

"I managed to throw almost 80 metres, but still, I was missing that five centimetres and it is only 79, so I cannot be super satisfied with my result," Kokhan said after his fifth event of the season. "I had to start the sixth attempt faster and it was a right decision.

Hometown favourite Thomas Mardal fouled four times but began his day with a