Tom Petranoff

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Medal record
Tom Petranoff
Men's Athletics
Competitor for the United States
World Championships
Silver	1983 Helsinki	Javelin

Thomas ("Tom") Alan Petranoff (born April 8, 1958 in Aurora, Illinois) is a former world record holder in the javelin throw; his May, 1983 effort was greater than the length of an entire football field at 99.72 meters (327'2"). Tom Petranoff's world record added precisely three meters to the previous global standard of 96.72, set in 1980 by Hungary's Ferenc Paragi. Petranoff's prodigious effort fueled further discussion and speculation regarding the likelihood of alterations to the javelin's design and flight characteristics. Proposed changes would finally take effect in 1986 - following yet another sizable improvement to the javelin world record - East German Uwe Hohn's incredible throw of 104.80 meters - nearly 344 feet.

In 1984, Petranoff won The Superstars championship with a record score of 61 points. He qualified for the United States Olympic Team, but finished a disappointing 9th in the final in Los Angeles.

A native of Illinois, Petranoff later became a citizen of South Africa and competed for that country in various international competitions.

Petranoff is also the inventor of the "Turbo Javelin." This implement is used for javelin practice, especially of the indoor kind. Made of heavy duty plastic and a rubber tip, the turbo javelin is very safe and ideal for indoor practice, and makes a good substitute for younger throwers as the official javelin can be dangerous. It is now used in its own competitions for people of all ages and is great for recreation departments and much more. The world record holder with the turbo javelin is Breaux Greer of the U.S.A.

Petranoff now lives in Rhode Island; he has coached for institutions such as Boston University.