Gerd Kanter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gerd Kanter

Personal information
Nationality	Estonian
Born	(1979-05-06) 6 May 1979 (age 46) Tallinn, Estonian SSR, Soviet Union
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	127 kg (280 lb)
Sport
Country	Estonia
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Discus
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	73.38 m (2006)
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 1 0 1 World Championships 1 2 2 European Championships 0 3 1 Continental Cup 1 0 0 European Throwing Cup 6 0 1 Universiade 1 0 0 Total 10 5 5 Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Discus Bronze 2012 London Discus World Championships Gold 2007 Osaka Discus Silver 2005 Helsinki Discus Silver 2011 Daegu Discus Bronze 2009 Berlin Discus Bronze 2013 Moscow Discus European Championships Silver 2006 Gothenburg Discus Silver 2012 Helsinki Discus Silver 2014 Zürich Discus Bronze 2016 Amsterdam Discus Continental Cup Gold 2014 Marrakech Discus European Throwing Cup Gold 2003 Gioia Tauro Discus Gold 2004 Marsa Discus Gold 2005 Mersin Discus Gold 2007 Yalta Discus Gold 2008 Split Discus Gold 2009 Tenerife Discus Bronze 2006 Tel Aviv Discus Universiade Gold 2005 İzmir Discus

Gerd Kanter (born May 6, 1979) is a famous retired discus thrower from Estonia. He is known for winning a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He also became the World Champion in discus in 2007. Later, he won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Gerd Kanter's best throw ever was 73.38 meters. This is an Estonian record and one of the longest throws in history. He first competed in the Olympics in 2004. A year later, he won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships. He also earned silver medals at the 2006 European Athletics Championships and the 2011 World Championships. He won bronze medals at the World Championships in 2009 and 2013.

Gerd also won the Diamond League and the 2013 IAAF Diamond League for discus throw.

Gerd Kanter's Athletics Career

Gerd Kanter started his Olympic journey in 2004. He competed in the 2004 Olympics, but he did not make it to the final round.

Breakthrough Year: 2005

The year 2005 was a big one for Gerd. He won several important medals.

• He earned a silver medal at the World Championships.
• He also won a silver medal at the World Athletics Final.
• Gerd took first place at the European Cup.
• He also won the World University Games.
• In 2005, he threw the discus more than 70 meters for the first time. This was a major achievement for him.

Setting Records: 2006-2008

On September 4, 2006, Gerd Kanter made an amazing throw in Sweden. He threw the discus 73.38 meters. This throw set a new Estonian record. It was also the third best throw in history at that time. Only two other athletes had thrown further.

In 2006, Gerd won a silver medal at the 2006 European Athletics Championships. He finished second to Virgilijus Alekna. Then, in 2007, he became the world champion. He won the discus event at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Japan.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Gerd won the gold medal. His throw was 68.82 meters. This was one meter further than the second-place finisher.

Later Career and Retirement

In March 2009, Gerd won the European Cup Winter Throwing event in Spain. He threw 69.70 meters. Later that month, he set a world indoor best of 69.51 meters in Sweden. At the 2009 World Championships, he won a bronze medal.

In 2010, he had a strong start to the outdoor season. He threw 71.45 meters in California. This was the eleventh best throw ever at that point. He finished fourth at the 2010 European Athletics Championships. In 2011, he won a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.

Gerd Kanter stopped competing after the 2018 season. He had a long and successful career in discus throwing.

Major Achievements and Medals

Gerd Kanter won many medals throughout his career. Here are some of his most important achievements:

• Olympic Games:
  • 2008 Beijing: Gold medal
  • 2012 London: Bronze medal

• World Championships:
  • 2005 Helsinki: Silver medal
  • 2007 Osaka: Gold medal
  • 2009 Berlin: Bronze medal
  • 2011 Daegu: Silver medal
  • 2013 Moscow: Bronze medal

• European Championships:
  • 2006 Gothenburg: Silver medal
  • 2012 Helsinki: Silver medal
  • 2014 Zürich: Silver medal
  • 2016 Amsterdam: Bronze medal

• Other Major Wins:
  • 2014 Continental Cup: Gold medal
  • European Throwing Cup: Won six gold medals (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)
  • 2005 Universiade: Gold medal

Awards and Recognition

Gerd Kanter has received several honors for his achievements:

• He was named Estonian Sports Personality of the Year three times: in 2007, 2008, and 2011.
• He was also recognized as the European Athlete of the Month in April 2009, April 2010, and September 2014.

Special Orders

Gerd Kanter has also received special honors from Estonia:

• 

  Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st Class (2009)
• 

  Order of the White Star, 4th Class (2006)

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