logo
Matthew Denny: from a homemade discus circle in his country town to the brink of world records

Matthew Denny: from a homemade discus circle in his country town to the brink of world records

The Guardian14-04-2025

The combined population of Allora, Queensland and Ramona, Oklahoma is less than two thousand people. But what these small towns lack in size they more than make up for in discus pedigree. On Sunday, Allora's favourite son Matthew Denny set what would have been a new discus world record with a monster throw in Ramona, only for Lithuanian rival Mykolas Alekna to twice extend the record in the same meet.
Despite being upstaged by Alekna, Denny's 74.78m throw – a personal best and new Oceania record – cements the Queenslander's status amid rarefied throwing company. At last year's Paris Olympics, Denny won bronze – the first medal for an Australian man in a Games throwing event. His improvement since suggests Denny is not done yet.
Ramona is an unusual place for an international athletics event. A rail-road, a few diners, a fire department – the small American town would otherwise hardly attract international attention. But a site on the town's outskirts, Millican Field, has emerged as a hub for the world's best discus throwers. So much so that the venue has its own nickname: Throw Town. The local weather provides wind conditions favourable to big throws, helping Alekna and Denny to their milestones last week (unlike track events, there is no limit on maximum permissible tail-winds in the field).
Ramona would have felt strangely like home for Denny. Allora, in the Darling Downs in south-east Queensland, 60km outside Toowoomba, has few people and plenty of wide-open landscapes. As Denny's Australian Athletics profile explains, Denny enjoyed a childhood with 'lots of space to throw things'. After switching from rugby league to athletics in his teenage years, Denny's family built him a discus circle on their country property.
The Australian soon emerged as an international discus talent – finishing fourth at the U20 world championships in 2014, and qualifying for the Rio Games two years later. By the 2019 world championships, he was among the best in the world, placing sixth. A fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 followed, plus gold at the Commonwealth Games a year later. Another fourth followed at the 2023 world championships, and then at last the elusive podium spot in Paris.
The towering Australian – 1.96m tall – had emotion evident in his voice after winning bronze last year. Denny revealed he had prepared for the final by watching an advertisement produced by Qantas, featuring his pre-Games farewell at Allora's local pub, the Railway.
'I just wanted another look at the group of people who were in that shot – 120 of my closest supporters, family and friends,' he said. 'They've always been there for me – no matter what, and never doubted what I wanted to do.' The Railway had opened at 4am for locals to watch Denny's quest for an Olympic medal; he joked that he hoped the tab was not being added to his account. 'I'm just a product of people putting their lives into my ability and I'm so grateful for those people,' he said.
But less than an hour after winning bronze last August, Denny's mind had already turned to the future – the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the prospect of a home Games in Brisbane in 2024. 'I 100% believe there's still so much more there,' he said. 'We're not done yet.'
Denny will have stiff competition in the fight for a world or Olympic title in the years ahead. Alekna, just 22, is the son of two-time Olympic discus champion Virgilijus Alekna; Alekna junior won silver, behind Jamaica's Rojé Stona, in Paris. In the months before the Games, Alekna set a new world record mark at Throw Town – breaking a record that had stood since the 1980s. On Sunday, he twice topped his own world record. But Denny is not far behind.
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
The excitement in Ramona coincided with Australia's national athletics championships, half a world away in Perth. Denny made the decision to skip the national titles in favour of the international event – a decision-justified by a week of big throws from the Australian.
But the two events underline the remarkable resurgence of Australian athletics. Gout Gout's sub-10 100m and sub-20 200m (albeit wind-affected), Leah O'Brien's stunning record-breaking sprint, Peter Bol's return to form, Rohan Browning's comeback, the high-jump rivalry between Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson and middle-distance prodigy Cameron Myers – Australian athletics has rarely seen a time of such interest and elite pedigree. With the world championships in Tokyo in September, the U20 world titles in the United States and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, the road to Los Angeles has already begun.
From one small rural town to another, Denny is throwing for discus glory – just as Australian athletics is reaching new heights. More big throws, more records and more medals seemingly await the Allora local.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back
Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back

North Wales Chronicle

time2 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back

Rabada overtook Allan Donald to become his country's most prolific Test wicket-taker by claiming five for 51 as Australia were bowled out for 212 on the opening day at Lord's. Yet on what proved a fine day for seam bowling, Australia hit back to reduce the Proteas to 43 for four in their reply before the close. Australia initially struggled in gloomy conditions after being put in to bat by Temba Bavuma. Rabada made his mark early on as he removed Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the space of four deliveries. Marco Jansen – who finished with three for 49 – also caused problems and accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. That left Australia 67 for four but their innings was repaired by the ever-dependable Steve Smith, who overcame a difficult start to carve out 66. In the process he became the leading overseas Test run-scorer at Lord's, reaching 591 before being caught – at the third attempt – by Jansen at slip off the spin of Aiden Markram. Australian pacers rattle South Africa's top order in the final session to seize the momentum at Stumps 👊 Follow LIVE ➡️ — ICC (@ICC) June 11, 2025 He had shared in a fifth-wicket stand of 79 with Beau Webster, who had survived two lbw scares in his own less-than-convincing start. The first saw him escape on review and the second, off Rabada, would have seen him removed if Bavuma had reviewed. He rode out those difficulties as he went on to top-score in the innings with 72 from 92 deliveries. He helped Australia to 190 for five at tea but then Keshav Maharaj prompted a collapse by bowling Alex Carey, who attempted an ill-fated reverse sweep on 23. Rabada returned to account for Pat Cummins and Webster and finished off the innings by bowling Mitchell Starc after Jansen had cleaned up Nathan Lyon. It took his career wicket tally to 332, two ahead of Donald. South Africa's batters were unable to build on the work of their attack as Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs all fell in a difficult 22-over session. Starc took two for 10 with Josh Hazlewood and Cummins grabbing a wicket apiece.

Luke Littler ready for ‘one of the best feelings' playing at World Cup
Luke Littler ready for ‘one of the best feelings' playing at World Cup

North Wales Chronicle

time2 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Luke Littler ready for ‘one of the best feelings' playing at World Cup

The 18-year-old will team up in Frankfurt with Luke Humphries, who beat Littler in the Premier League final at the O2 Arena last month. Humphries guided England to a record-breaking fifth World Cup success with Michael Smith last year and a sixth crown is being plotted at Eissporthalle ahead of the tournament starting on Thursday. 'I've not spoke to anyone about putting the shirt on for your country, but I am sure it is one of the best feelings you'll ever have. I'm sure me and Luke are ready for it,' Littler reflected. THE GROUPS 🔢 Here's how the groups shape up ahead at the 2025 @BetVictor World Cup of Darts… Reminder that the top four seeded nations enter in the second round. Read more 👉 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 4, 2025 'Obviously Luke won it last year with Michael Smith, I'm sure he'll want to go back-to-back. For myself, I want to win it on debut just as much as Luke wants to retain it.' If Littler is to enjoy a maiden World Cup of Darts triumph, he will have to improve his recent form in Germany. The start of a hex can be charted back to September when Littler collapsed from a position of strength to lose to Peter Wright in the German Darts Championship final. Boos occurred on that occasion and Littler struggled on Night Nine of the Premier League in Berlin at the start of April before three weeks later he fell short of German Grand Prix success in Munich. Littler added: 'The only bad one last year was Hildesheim against Peter Wright. I think I was 5-2 up, lost 8-5 and obviously as soon as you're beating the home favourite, as everyone likes to call it, that is when they don't start to like you. A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler) 'I wouldn't say it's upset me but I would say I was obviously a bit angry. I wouldn't say (during) Premier League. The biggest one is Germany, but I did what Gerwyn Price always does, go on Instagram, have a bit of a moan and take it down half an hour later.' World Cup delight with England – with the holders set to start their campaign in the second round on Saturday – will help Littler forget about his past tricky experiences in Germany and may change his mind on whether darts should be entered into the Olympics. 'Yeah, there was a lot of talk last year on the Olympics and for myself, I don't have a clue,' Littler admitted. 'Would it be good? Would it be bad? I'm not really an Olympics person, so I won't sit there and watch it. 'I don't know if it would be good or bad for darts. I am not sure if it would fit in as much.'

Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back
Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back

Powys County Times

time2 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Kagiso Rabada five-for hands South Africa initiative before Australia fight back

Kagiso Rabada took five wickets as South Africa seized the early initiative in the World Test Championship final before Australia fought back on Wednesday. Rabada overtook Allan Donald to become his country's most prolific Test wicket-taker by claiming five for 51 as Australia were bowled out for 212 on the opening day at Lord's. Yet on what proved a fine day for seam bowling, Australia hit back to reduce the Proteas to 43 for four in their reply before the close. Australia initially struggled in gloomy conditions after being put in to bat by Temba Bavuma. Rabada made his mark early on as he removed Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the space of four deliveries. Marco Jansen – who finished with three for 49 – also caused problems and accounted for Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. That left Australia 67 for four but their innings was repaired by the ever-dependable Steve Smith, who overcame a difficult start to carve out 66. In the process he became the leading overseas Test run-scorer at Lord's, reaching 591 before being caught – at the third attempt – by Jansen at slip off the spin of Aiden Markram. Australian pacers rattle South Africa's top order in the final session to seize the momentum at Stumps 👊 Follow LIVE ➡️ — ICC (@ICC) June 11, 2025 He had shared in a fifth-wicket stand of 79 with Beau Webster, who had survived two lbw scares in his own less-than-convincing start. The first saw him escape on review and the second, off Rabada, would have seen him removed if Bavuma had reviewed. He rode out those difficulties as he went on to top-score in the innings with 72 from 92 deliveries. He helped Australia to 190 for five at tea but then Keshav Maharaj prompted a collapse by bowling Alex Carey, who attempted an ill-fated reverse sweep on 23. Rabada returned to account for Pat Cummins and Webster and finished off the innings by bowling Mitchell Starc after Jansen had cleaned up Nathan Lyon. It took his career wicket tally to 332, two ahead of Donald. South Africa's batters were unable to build on the work of their attack as Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs all fell in a difficult 22-over session. Starc took two for 10 with Josh Hazlewood and Cummins grabbing a wicket apiece.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store