Sport
11 April, 2025
Matthew Rewrites Australia’s Sporting History
Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny has etched his name even deeper into Australian athletics history, unleashing a phenomenal 72.07m throw to become the first Australian to eclipse the 70-metre mark and land the fifth longest-throw in global history.
Already one of the sport’s most consistent performers on the world stage, Denny’s record-breaking performance at the Oklahoma Throws Series is landmark moment in his career and the history of Australian athletics.
“I’m very, very proud of myself and my team and what we’ve been able to achieve today. We’re finally over the 70-metre mark and we did it in pretty solid fashion, so it’s really satisfying, but also, the job isn’t done yet,” Denny said.
“We came here for one reason and that was for the world record. I think this was a great shakeout off the plane and nice to get a bit of a feel for the place before competing at the World Invitational next week, but at the end of the day I’m still very proud to finally get over that mark and do that before the big competition.”
In eight degree weather with mild winds, Denny’s throw obliterated his previous national record of 69.96m set in the Diamond League Final last year, and it puts him in rarefied air with only four athletes globally having thrown further in the discipline.
“With this PB, it’s nice to finally put myself with where I think my training has been, and I’ve just never been really fortunate to get good conditions without tailwinds when I’ve been in good shape,” he said.
“Looking at where I’ve come from and for a kid that just started with a circle in a country town, to then come to another country town across the other side of the world and go back to roots and break milestones. It shows that you don’t need all the fancy stuff, you just need a bit of grit and a bit of determination.”
The Australian discus giant also dedicated his achievement to his father, who passed away last year following the Olympic Games:
“This one was for Dad. He was a country guy who just did it anyway and got the job done no matter what the circumstances were. It keeps me accountable to just not complain and just get the job done,” Denny said.
Denny will next compete at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational this weekend, and will take on the best throwers in the world including world record holder Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania) and will attempt to eclipse his rival’s best of 74.35m.
Image and story - Australian Athletics
