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Ethan Katzberg, of Canada, makes an attempt in the men's hammer throw final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, July 27, 2026. Katzberg, the reigning Olympic and world champion, failed to record a mark at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship on Friday and was eliminated after two rounds. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Canadian Olympic champion Katzberg upset in hammer throw at Ultimate Championship

Sep 11, 2026 | 1:19 PM

BUDAPEST — Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg suffered a stunning upset Friday, failing to record a mark in the men’s hammer throw at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

The Canadian was eliminated after the opening two rounds, while Germany’s Merlin Hummel, who finished second to Katzberg at the 2025 world championships in Tokyo, won with a throw of 81.46 metres.

Katzberg, from Nanaimo, B.C., entered as the world’s top-ranked hammer thrower after winning the last two world championships, this summer’s Commonwealth Games and the Diamond League title.

The Canadian quartet of Eliezer Adjibi, Audrey Leduc, Brendon Rodney and Sade McCreath just missed the mixed 4-by-100-metre podium, finishing fourth in 40.34 seconds behind the United States (39.64), Jamaica (39.72) and England (40.26).