Until the Budapest World Championships in 2023, Canada’s hammer throw record had a long memory with a history that stretched back over a century, marked by a silver medal from 1908 in London and an Olympic bronze from 1912 in Stockholm. Those early medals came from athletes who competed under very different conditions, and their achievements lingered as a reminder of Canada’s early presence in the event.
Canada makes a bold throw into a new era
Nearly 111 years later, Canada surprised the world with two young hammer throwers reaching the pinnacle of success: Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers each claimed gold at the Budapest meet. Both hail from British Columbia, close in geography but sharing different paths. Katzberg was born in Richmond, while Rogers grew up in Nanaimo, distributions that reflect Canada’s coastal diversity and the way talent travels from sea to field.
Ethan Katzberg, at 21, had already announced his arrival as a force to watch, having earned a top three ranking for the year after a meteoric rise from a strong 2021 season. His performance in Budapest demonstrated a marked maturity for his age, even as he approached his personal bests and surpassed the national mark to set a new standard for Canadian hammer throwing. The spark for his journey traces back to a lifelong embrace of the hammer, a passion probably rooted in his family’s athletic environment and the influence of coaches who helped him channel early interest into world-class technique.
The Nets of this story run deep. The family line includes a history of throwing prowess, with a father who trained in how to maximize power and balance. For Katzberg, the combination of natural talent and a guided development path helped him navigate a sport demanding both strength and rhythm. A move east in British Columbia and a meeting with pivotal coaches sealed his trajectory, aligning his potential with a concrete plan that culminated in Budapest with a commanding performance on the biggest stage yet.
Meanwhile, Camryn Rogers, at 24, joined Katzberg on Canada’s celebrated podium, contributing to a historic moment as Canada secured both men’s and women’s hammer medals in a single competition. Rogers’s rise is tied to a compelling personal journey, including a challenging childhood and the resilience that has become a hallmark of her athletic identity. Her path reflects an athlete who balanced academic pursuits with sport, eventually translating a passion for the hammer into Olympic-level success and a distinctive Canadian voice on the world stage.
Both athletes benefited from a coaching ecosystem that linked them to mentors and programs established in Canadian sport, emphasizing technique, consistency, and international experience. Rogers’s support circle included her mother and a team that kept a steady focus on fundamentals, rhythm, and competitive temperament. Katzberg’s development included guidance from a well-known coach whose experience in Olympic programs helped shape a disciplined approach to training, competition, and travel that is part of every elite hammer thrower’s life.
The Budapest performances were not just about medals. They signaled a shift in Canadian hammer throwing, highlighting young talent and a readiness to compete alongside the world’s best. Katzberg’s final rounds showed a blend of power and precision, while Rogers demonstrated composure and technique under pressure, earning medals that added to Canada’s longstanding hammer history and its bright future.
As the crowd celebrated on the Danube and the Hungarian National Day fireworks lit up the river, the Canadian duo stood as a symbol of the sport’s growth in North America. Their success was a reminder that a country with growing training programs, robust facilities, and strong coaching can compete at the highest levels with athletes who are not only technically proficient but also intensely motivated to push the boundaries of what is possible in hammer throwing.
In addition to their podiums, Rogers and Katzberg helped illuminate Canada’s broader hammer program. Katzberg, who is tall and lean with a relaxed presence, and Rogers, known for her athletic poise and strategic approach, both embody a generation that blends practical experience with a willingness to pursue ambitious goals. Their achievements reflect not only personal dedication but the cumulative effect of Canada’s investment in sport science, coaching, and youth development that continues to yield results on the world stage.
With a balanced mix of early roots, family influence, and a clear plan for progression, Canada’s hammer throw program is redefining its reputation. The sport’s narrative in Canada now includes a new chapter defined by youthful talent, steady improvement, and a track record of success at major championships—an expanding legacy that looks set to endure well beyond Budapest.
Rogers’s silver and Katzberg’s gold mark a historical threshold for Canada, one that resonates with athletes and fans across the country. They have turned years of hard work into an inspiring story about perseverance, community support, and the joy of achieving excellence on the world stage.