discus throwing

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discus throwing

discus throwing gymnastic exercise of the ancient Greeks, revived in modern times, especially as part of the Olympic games (in which it is an event of the decathlon ) and as an event of most other track and field meets. The discus used to be thrown with either hand, the arm extended backward and the discus against the forearm. The discus for men is a circular disk of wood with a metal rim, weighs 4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg), and is 8 5/8 in. (22 cm) in diameter. For women the discus is half this weight and slightly smaller in diameter. In modern discus throwing, the athlete rotates several times within a circle 8 ft 2 1/2 in. (2.5 m) in diameter before releasing the discus. Generally, three throws are permitted, the best one scoring. Highly skilled competitors throw the discus 230 ft (70 m) or more.

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discus

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

dis·cus / ˈdiskəs/ • n. (pl. -cus·es ) a heavy thick-centered disk thrown by an athlete, in ancient Greek games or in modern field events. ∎ the athletic event or sport of throwing the discus: she had placed first in the discus.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Scanlon stays cool to crack discus record. Newspaper article from: Sussex Express Series (Lewes, England); 6/15/2006
	Raiders seldom out-thrown; Trio continues great discus tradition at Fitchburg High.(SPORTS) Newspaper article from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA); 4/27/2007
	Recruitment manager takes time off to throw, you know, a discus. (ejecutivo del Tiempo Hispano gana medalla de oro en deporte de pista y campo)(TA: Hispanic Times executive win gold medal in track and field competition) Magazine article from: Hispanic Times Magazine; 10/1/1996

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