IN the realm of the world of sports which includes various branches, one that has attracted attention is the sport of javelin throwing. This sport that combines strength, speed and precision technique has fascinated athletes and spectators alike for years.
Behind the roar of the stands’ cheers and the brilliance of the medals, there is an essence that we need to understand regarding the main goal, the complexity of the field, and the basic technical foundations that form the foundation for building a perfect throw.
The aim of throwing the javelin is to get as far as possible. The javelin used in this case is similar to a spear with a sharp tip.
A javelin throwing athlete relies on the muscle strength of the hands, feet and hips. Javelin throwing athletes also need speed, special style and the right technique to get maximum results. The javelin throw, part of athletics, is a very impressive discipline. The mechanics of its execution resemble other types of throws. The goal is to get as far as possible. An athlete involved in javelin throwing relies on muscle strength from the hands, feet and hips. To achieve maximum results, it takes speed, special techniques, and the right style.
Javelin throwing is one of the sports included in the Olympic competition. In Indonesia, this sport is also quite popular, especially among athletics. At the national level, Indonesia also holds javelin throwing competitions, for example in the National Sports Week (PON).
According to information contained in World Athletics, the sport of javelin has undergone an interesting transformation. Originally used as a tool in hunting and warfare activities, the javelin has now become one of the prestigious sports under the Olympic umbrella.
The origins of the javelin throw date back to the Ancient Olympics in 708 BC in Greece. At that time, the javelin was part of an ancient competition called the pentathlon, which involved various disciplines such as running, discus throwing, long jump and wrestling.
Javelin throwing at that time used a javelin made of olive wood. Unfortunately, the Olympia complex, where the Ancient Olympics were held, suffered damage from centuries of battles and natural disasters.
This led to the official end of the Olympics around 394 AD, when the Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the staging of games that had a pagan background, considering that the ancient Olympics had elements of the worship of gods.
After this dark period, the javelin resurfaced in the modern Olympics, first for the men’s category in 1908, and then introduced for the women’s category in 1932. When it was first introduced, this sport still had few regulations and standards regarding throwing equipment design.
However, after the creation of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), strict standards regarding javelin design were imposed. In the following decades, world records and Olympic achievements continued to increase. One of the peak moments was in 1984, when Uwe Hohn threw a record with a distance of 104.8 meters.
In javelin throwing, attention to a number of factors becomes crucial. The main focus starts from the tool used, namely the javelin itself. The structure of the javelin, which consists of three components – a metal head, a metal or wooden shaft, and a handle positioned in balance with the center of gravity – is a determining factor.
