Katzberg eliminated early in men's hammer throw final at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Reigning Olympic and world gold medallist Ethan Katzberg of Nanaimo, B.C., was knocked out of the men's hammer throw final at the first World Athletics Ultimate Championship after starting Friday's competition with a pair of no throws in Budapest, Hungary.

After two attempts each, only the top six athletes get another attempt in the four-round competition.

The 24-year-old Katzberg, who entered Friday's event having won seven consecutive times dating to last August, placed last in the field of eight.

Merlin Hummel of Germany was victorious with a best throw of 81.46 metres, 1.16 more than 2026 world leader and hometown favourite Bence Halász (80.30). Ukraine's Mykhaylo Kokhan was third (78.90).

Katzberg was coming off a winning performance at the Silesia Diamond League event on Aug. 23 in Chorzów, Poland, where he threw 82.92.

A month earlier, the world's top-ranked men's hammer thrower entering Friday secured a gold medal with his opening throw of 80.97, setting a Commonwealth Games record in the process.

World and Olympic champ Ethan Katzberg shockingly finishes last at Ultimate Championship

It was a shocking performance on Friday as Katzberg has been successful in Budapest. He achieved a season’s best 83.64 there in July. It was also a meet record and world-leading throw, until his rival Halász answered on Aug. 11 at the European Championships in Birmingham, England with an 84.25 effort.

The Canadian also captured the first of his two World Athletics Championship titles in Budapest three years ago.

Katzberg wins hammer throw with Commonwealth Games record toss

What to know for track and field's new Ultimate Championship

It was also a tough Friday for Canadians on the track at Gyula Zsivotzky National Athletics Centre.