Men's javelin world record progression

The first world record in the men's javelin throw was recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1912.[1]

As of June 21, 2009, 46 world records have been ratified by the IAAF in the event.[1] New specifications for the javelin were introduced in 1986, and javelins with serrated tails were banned in 1991 which had the effect of reverting to an earlier record set in 1990.[1]

Record Progression

Mark Athlete Date Location
62.32  Eric Lemming (SWE) 29 September 1912 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
66.10  Jonni Myyrä (FIN) 25 August 1919 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
66.62  Gunnar Lindström (SWE) 12 October 1924 Eksjö, Sweden[1]
69.88  Eino Penttilä (FIN) 8 October 1927 Viipuri, Finland[1]
71.01  Erik Lundqvist (SWE) 15 August 1928 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
71.57  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 8 August 1930 Viipuri, Finland[1]
71.70  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 17 August 1930 Tampere, Finland[1]
71.88  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 31 August 1930 Vaasa, Finland[1]
72.93  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 14 September 1930 Viipuri, Finland[1]
74.02  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 27 June 1932 Turku, Finland[1]
74.28  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 25 May 1933 Mikkeli, Finland[1]
74.61  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 7 June 1933 Vaasa, Finland[1]
76.10  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 15 June 1933 Helsinki, Finland[1]
76.66  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 7 September 1934[1] Turin, Italy
77.23  Matti Järvinen (FIN) 18 June 1936 Helsinki, Finland[1]
77.87  Yrjö Nikkanen (FIN) 25 August 1938 Karhula, Finland[1]
78.70  Yrjö Nikkanen (FIN) 16 October 1938 Kotka, Finland[1]
80.41  Bud Held (USA) 8 August 1953 Pasadena, CA, United States[1]
81.75  Bud Held (USA) 21 May 1955 Modesto, CA, United States[1]
83.56  Soini Nikkinen (FIN) 24 June 1956 Kuhmoinen, Finland[1]
83.66  Janusz Sidło (POL) 30 June 1956 Milan, Italy[1]
85.71  Egil Danielsen (NOR) 26 November 1956 Melbourne, Australia[1]
86.04  Albert Cantello (USA) 5 June 1959 Compton, CA, United States[1]
86.74  Carlo Lievore (ITA) 1 June 1961 Milan, Italy[1]
87.12  Terje Pedersen (NOR) 1 July 1964 Oslo, Norway[1]
91.72  Terje Pedersen (NOR) 2 September 1964 Oslo, Norway[1]
91.98  Jānis Lūsis (URS) 23 June 1968 Saarijärvi, Finland[1]
92.70  Jorma Kinnunen (FIN) 18 June 1969 Tampere, Finland[1]
93.80  Jānis Lūsis (URS) 6 July 1972 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
94.08  Klaus Wolfermann (FRG) 5 May 1973 Leverkusen, West Germany[1]
94.58  Miklós Németh (HUN) 25 July 1976 Montreal, Canada[1]
96.72  Ferenc Paragi (HUN) 23 April 1980 Tata, Hungary[1]
99.72  Tom Petranoff (USA) 15 May 1983 Los Angeles, United States[1]
104.80  Uwe Hohn (GDR) 20 July 1984 East Berlin, East Germany[1]

New specifications were introduced in 1986.

Mark Athlete Date Location
85.74  Klaus Tafelmeier (FRG) 21 September 1986 Como, Italy[1]
87.66  Jan Železný (TCH) 31 May 1987 Nitra, Czechoslovakia[1]
89.10  Patrik Bodén (SWE) 24 March 1990 Austin, United States[1]
89.58  Steve Backley (GBR) 2 July 1990 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
89.66  Jan Železný (TCH) 14 July 1990 Oslo, Norway[1]
90.98  Steve Backley (GBR) 20 July 1990 London, United Kingdom[1]
91.98  Seppo Räty (FIN) 6 May 1991 Shizuoka, Japan[1]
96.96  Seppo Räty (FIN) 2 June 1991 Punkalaidun, Finland[1]

Javelins with serrated tails were outlawed by the IAAF in 1991. The record reverted to Steve Backley's 89.58.

Mark Athlete Date Location
89.58  Steve Backley (GBR) 2 July 1990 Stockholm, Sweden[1]
91.46  Steve Backley (GBR) 25 January 1992 North Shore City, New Zealand[1]
95.54  Jan Železný (CZE) 6 April 1993 Pietersburg, South Africa[1]
95.66  Jan Železný (CZE) 29 August 1993 Sheffield, United Kingdom[1]
98.48  Jan Železný (CZE) 25 May 1996 Jena, Germany[1]

References