Canadian star Ethan Katzberg has set Olympic fans buzzing after his impressive win at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The 22-year-old athlete, known for his distinctive mustache and curly hair, grabbed the gold medal in the men’s hammer throw on Sunday.
This win solidifies his dominance in the sport after becoming the youngest-ever world champion last year. Katzberg’s first throw of 84.12 meters was so outstanding that none of his competitors could catch up.
But it’s not just his athletic skills that have people talking. His striking looks have left fans playfully wondering if the Olympic champion has some Australian heritage.
A photo of Olympic Champion Ethan Katzberg posted on August 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/ethankatzberg
One intrigued user asked, “Aren’t Canadians just snow Australians?” Another speculated, “He’s probably a secret Aussie.” Some are even calling for a DNA test, with one person saying, “Nah, I want a DNA test—this man is clearly Australian.”
A fan comment dated August 5, 2024 | Source: X/BeingTravisCody
Others joked about why Canada is “dominating Hammer throw with Aussie-looking athletes.” A few even noted, “I’m pretty sure this dude lives down the street from me and drives a Dodge Ram truck.”
While many may have questioned Katzberg’s nationality, he is clearly a native of Canada. Born on April 5, 2002, he hails from a charming town, Nanaimo, in British Columbia.
A photo of Olympic Champion Ethan Katzberg posted on August 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/ethankatzberg
On making his country proud and reflecting on his victory, Katzberg shared, “I don’t think I expected it, but I had the preparation in mind to get a good round on the first throw, and to throw 84 meters felt really good.”
After his win, he couldn’t contain his excitement. He ran around with the Canadian flag and flashed a big smile at the cheering crowd.
A photo of Olympic Champion Ethan Katzberg posted on August 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/ethankatzberg
Team Canada celebrated the moment by posting photos of Katzberg’s joyful celebration. Their caption read, “Smile if you’re the first Canadian man to win a gold medal in hammer throw at the Olympics! Ethan Katzberg, the youngest-ever hammer-throwing Olympic champion.”
The photos captured Katzberg’s beaming grin as he proudly wore his gold medal. In one playful snap, he even held and bit his medal, showing off his victory with style!
Ethan Katzberg poses with his medal on stage at the Champions Park at Trocadero during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 6, 2024, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background. | Source: Getty Images
Hungary’s Bence Halasz took the second place. He snagged the silver medal with a throw of 79.97 meters. Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan took home the bronze with 79.39 meters.
Silver medalist Bence Halasz of Hungary, Gold Medalist Ethan Katzberg of Canada and Bronze medalist Mykhaylo Kokhan of Ukraine pose on the podium during their victory ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympics Games on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
In 2023, Katzberg made headlines by achieving a groundbreaking win at the World Athletics Championships. At just 21, he became the first Canadian to claim a world title in the hammer throw, just days before his teammate Camryn Rogers also won in the women’s event.
Ethan Katzberg celebrates with his gold medal on the podium during day three of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 21, 2023, in Budapest, Hungary. | Source: Getty Images
Katzberg not only became the youngest man to win a hammer throw world title but also set a Canadian record with his gold-winning throw of 81.25 meters. He had previously made history in the qualification round by being the first Canadian to throw over 80 meters, with a distance of 81.18 meters.
Ethan Katzberg of Canada with his gold medal after winning the Men’s Hammer Throw during the World Athletics Championships, at the National Athletics Centre on August 20th, 2023, in Budapest, Hungary. | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the 2023 season, Katzberg significantly improved his personal best by nearly five meters. He started the year with a personal best of 76.36 meters from his silver win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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Ethan Katzberg pose during the medal ceremony on day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 6, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
In May 2023, he threw 78.41 meters at the Dylan Armstrong Track Classic in Kamloops, a meet named after his coach and Olympic bronze medalist. By July 2023, Katzberg secured his first national title with a throw of 78.73 meters, after being the runner-up in 2022 and 2021.
Ethan Katzberg competes during the Men’s Hammer Throw Final on day nine of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 06, 2022, on the Birmingham, England. | Source: Getty Images
Even though the hammer throw isn’t on the Diamond League, Katzberg made waves in two promotional meets in 2023. He dazzled in Paris with a gold medal and followed up with a bronze in Oslo, each throw reaching an impressive 77.93 meters.
Katzberg’s journey began at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships, where he was a finalist after finishing second in his qualification group. He joins the list of other Olympic gold medalists like Simon Biles who also dazzled with her gold in women’s gymnastics.
