At the Oklahoma Throws Series, Mykolas Alekna from California achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new world record of 74.35 meters in the discus throw, surpassing the previous record set in 1986 by Jürgen Schult at 74.08 meters. This was the oldest men’s track and field world record that Alekna broke.
Competing unattached at the event, Alekna showed his exceptional ability right from the start with throws of 72.21 meters, 70.32 meters, 72.89 meters, and 70.51 meters in his first four attempts. It was on his fifth throw that he made history by setting the new world record.
Alekna had previously set the collegiate discus record at 71.00 meters in 2023, and during this event, he broke his own record three times. The Lithuanian thrower now holds most of the top 10 furthest throws in collegiate history.
Stan Becton, who joined NCAA.com in 2021, covered the event and has provided insights into Alekna’s incredible achievement. He has covered various NCAA championship events and college sports, bringing in-depth coverage to fans around the world. Stan is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and a former collegiate athlete in football. Follow him on Twitter @stan_becton for more updates.