Sporting and Athletic Records

THROWING THE HAMMER I.—WORLD'S AMATEUR RECORDS II.—BRITISH AMATEUR RECORDS III.—AMERICAN AMATEUR RECORDS HAMMER-THROWING records are in a state of picturesque confusion, owing to the numberless varieties of hammers and the different styles of throwing. Thus the hammer varies both in weight and length of handle, but that most usually understood is a hammer weighing altogether (head and handle) i61bs., and with a handle 4ft. long. Again, as to the styles of throwing, there are three distinct kinds, besides others not worth mentioning—they are (1) from a stand at a mark, (2) without follow from a limited circle, usually either 7ft. or 9ft. in diameter, and (3) with unlimited run and follow. Each of these styles is practised both with one hand and with the two hands. In the first style the thrower stands at a mark, which he must not cross before the hammer alights. In the second style the thrower must not touch the ground outside the circle from which he throws with any part of his person until the throw has been measured, the measurement being from the first pitch of the hammer to that part of the circumference of the circle nearest to it. In the third style the thrower may do what he likes, the measurement being made from the first pitch of the hammer to the 29s