The Hammer Throw

One of the most popular events in the Scottish Highland Games is the hammer throw. In ancient times, a sledgehammer was used and the competition was simple, who could throw it the furthest. This was a great way for those using sledgehammers in their daily work, to have some fun with it. Eventually this game evolved into a sport, and the hammer morphed into a ball and cane or wire. In the past, the thrower would spin his whole body around, building up momentum and throw the hammer. This sometimes resulted in the thrower getting dizzy, losing his grip, and the flyer hammer ended up in the gathered crowds. Now, the thrower spins the ball and cane, chain or wire, in a circular fashion, over his head to gain the momentum before the throw.

Like other throwing events, the competition is decided by who can throw the ball the farthest. The men's hammer weighs 16 pounds (7.257 kg) and measures 3 feet 11 ³⁄₄ inches (121.5 cm) in length and the women's hammer weighs 8.82 lb (4 kg) and 3 feet 11 inches (119.5 cm) in length.

In competition, most throwers turn three or four times. The ball moves in a circular path, gradually increasing in velocity with each turn with the high point of the ball toward the sector and the low point at the back of the circle. The thrower releases the ball from the front of the circle. The two most important factors for a long throw are the angle of release (45° up from the ground) and the speed of the ball (the highest possible)--thus balance and timing are actually more important than brute strength.

The men's hammer throw has been in the Olympic Games since 1900, and the women's hammer throw was first included in the Olympics at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, after having been included in the World Championships a year earlier.

Photo courtesy of wikipedia