Ferenc Paragi, Hungary

Ferenc Paragi

World Record: 96.72m (317' 4") Tata, Hungary 23 Apr 1980

Ferenc Paragi and Miklos Nemeth were rivals in the late 1970s and exchanged victories during 1977. Both had a mixed year in 1978, especially at the European Championships: Nemeth came in seventh and Paragi tenth. In 1979 Paragi made a big jump up to 92.14 meters (302' 4").

The following year, at a "Throwers Meet" in Tata, he threw 96.72 meters (317' 4"), a new world record and the first throw over 95 meters. This record took place three months before the Moscow Olympics.

At the Games Paragi led the qualifying rounds with 88.76 meters (291' 2"). This may well have been a curse in disguise. Since World War II, only two athletes (Wolfermann, 1972, Zelezny, 1992) have led the qualifying round and gone on to win the gold medal. In the final Paragi was troubled by a painful knee and was never a contender He threw 79.52 meters (260' 11") and finished 10th.

source: World Record Breakers in Track & Field Athletics

 

Go back