A very popular event in track and field competition is the hammer throw. This type of sport was developed several centuries ago in England, Ireland and Scotland. The hammer throwing event dates back to a time when Tailteann games were held in Tara, Ireland in 2000 AD, and with it came the story of a Celtic hero, named Cuhulanin. This hero is known to have grabbed the axle of a chariot wheel and then was able to throw it a greater distance than any mortal could throw. The legend became part of folklore and is also known as part of the history of the hammer throw.
As time went on, the event would become quite popular in the Middle Ages. During the 18th century this sport was then a large part of competitive athletics in the country of England, Scotland and Ireland. Hammers were designed from wrought iron back then, weight was never an issue at this event. The length of their shanks was 3 to 4 feet.
This event was performed by an athlete picking up and swinging the object overhead and throwing it as far as possible with the athlete standing in one place. Then the distance thrown from the line where the athlete was located that was marked on the field was measured. The longest distance hammer throw on record at the time was one hundred thirty to one hundred forty feet.
The English would later standardize this throwing event in 1875 by setting this object to weigh 16 pounds. The length was 3 feet 6 inches. The hammer was also thrown from a circle that the athlete would stand in before throwing the object.
In 1895 a new way of throwing the hammer was established. It was launched via a three-jump technique. Later, the wooden handle was replaced by a steel wire that was attached to a pair of grips.
This sporting event in 1900 was included in the Olympic Games, which today is a very important part of athletics. Another thing that changed was the sector, as it is now 34.92 degrees.