Athletics Dramatic accident
Hammer thrower smashes referee’s leg
Status: 02.10.2023 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Dramatic scenes during the hammer throw: A seriously injured referee has to be cared for
Source: AFP/WILLIAM WEST
There was a dramatic accident at the Asian Games. Kuwaiti Ali Zankawi fails in an attempt at the hammer throw and the heavy iron ball hits an official. The hammer thrower reacts quickly and helps stop the bleeding.
The forces are enormous and the timing has to be perfect so that hammer throwers can throw their iron sports equipment at distances of around 85 meters. Despite many safety precautions, the risk of a failed attempt remains with every throw. The hammer doesn’t always fly where it should. The consequences can be fatal.
There has now been a dramatic accident in the men’s hammer throw competition at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. At the athletics stadium, an official was hit by a throwing hammer and suffered a serious leg injury following an attempt by Kuwaiti athlete Ali Zankawi, 39. The man was lucky in spite of his misfortune.
Ali Zankawi tried to stop the bleeding on the judge’s leg before paramedics arrived
Source: AFP/WILLIAM WEST
The 62-year-old referee had been sitting on a chair outside the throwing ring when Zankawi missed the right point to release in his attempt and threw the hammer into the green protective net. From there, the 7.26 kilogram ball fell onto the official’s leg, who immediately began to bleed profusely and writhed in pain. A bleeding wound was visible through his pants. According to media reports, the official suffered a broken tibia and was subsequently operated on in hospital. He is now in a stable condition.
Zankawi visits his victim in the hospital
Zankawi appeared visibly shocked after his failed attempt and immediately rushed to the casualty to help with first aid. Among other things, the silver medalist at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha tried to stop the referee’s heavy bleeding.
also read
Zankawi confirmed to AFP that he had visited the official at his hospital bed after the painful incident and apologized. In a shared photo, the athlete and referee wave at the camera with relief.
Zankawi visited the injured official in hospital
Source: AFP/HANDOUT
