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- What is a Throws Weight Pentathlon?
What is a Throws Weight Pentathlon?
You might be surprised to learn that there is a pentathlon specifically for throwers. That’s right, 5 different throwing events that lead to a combined score to determine who the best overall thrower is. It is a popular event in masters throwing circles around the world.
The Events
The best mark in each event is converted into points. You can find a calculator that tallies points for each event and gives an overall score here. That makes it much easier to keep track of scores. The throws contested, in order, are:
- Hammer Throw
- Shot Put
- Discus Throw
- Javelin Throw
- Weight Throw
These are the 4 Olympic throwing events plus the weight throw. While the throws contested are the same regardless of age or gender, the implement weight is different based on age groups. The weight decreases for alder age groups. You can check out the weight of implements used based on each age group here. Competitors get 3 attempts at each event, with the best mark being counted for scoring purposes.
The event is competed at the World Masters Athletics Championships. World Masters Athletics keeps track of records in the event. You can find them for men and women.
Ruth Frith is known for being the oldest person to complete a throws pentathlon. She did so at the age of 101.
Ultraweight Pentathlon
The ultraweight pentathlon is an extreme variation of the weight pentathlon. It doesn’t have all the throwing events, but instead just the weight throw, superweight, and heavier variations. There are 5 different weights thrown:
Men
- 35 pound
- 56 pound
- 98 pound
- 200 pound
- 300 pound
Women
- 20 pound
- 35 pound
- 44 pound
- 56 pound
- 98 pound
The weights listed are for open athletes. Masters athletes use weights based on their age group. You can see see rules, age divisions, and scoring charts at this link. This isn’t a common event, but you can find it at some open and masters meets.
Here is a video from 2009 that shows an ultraweight pentathlon competition, including throwing all 5 different weights.
