Rogers wins women's hammer gold after edging rival Echikunwoke

Camryn Rogers of Canada secured the gold medal in the women's hammer throw at the Olympics with a distance of 76.97 meters on her fifth attempt, thereby dethroning Poland's three-time champion, Anita Wlodarczyk, on Tuesday.

The silver medal was unexpectedly claimed by Annette Echikunwoke from the United States, who achieved a throw of 75.48 meters, while China's Zhao Jie earned the bronze with a distance of 74.27 meters.

At the age of 25, Rogers added the Olympic title to her world championship title, which she won last year in Budapest. Her triumph at the Stade de France occurred just two days after her teammate, Ethan Katzberg, secured the men's gold medal.

Echikunwoke entered the competition ranked ninth in the world for the season but initially took the lead before Rogers confidently stepped into the circle to regain her position in the fifth of six rounds.

Rogers had already secured her victory prior to her final throw, yet she refrained from smiling until the 4kg hammer was released from her grip. She then quickly made her way to her mother, Shari Rogers, who has been a constant presence at all her competitions.

In her Olympic debut in Tokyo, Rogers finished fifth, followed by a silver medal at the world championships in 2022, culminating in her victory in Budapest last year.

Wlodarczyk, the world record holder with an impressive throw of 82.98 meters, finished in fourth place with a distance of 74.23 meters.