The first
world record
A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organizatio ...
in the men's
discus was recognised by the International Association of Amateur Athletics (IAAF), now known as
World Athletics
World Athletics, formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation and International Association of Athletics Federations and formerly abbreviated as the IAAF, is the international sports governing body, governing body for the sport ...
, in 1912, and was set by
James Duncan in 1912 (47.58 m).
As of 2025, 42 world records have been ratified by World Athletics in the event.
Another 14 are acknowledged but are unofficial, since they were set before the founding of IAAF.
Outdoor progression
On 7 July 1981
Ben Plucknett of the United States won a meet in
Stockholm
Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
with a world record throw of ,
but the record was nullified by the
I.A.A.F. one week later when they announced that Plucknett had tested positive for the banned
anabolic steroid
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are a class of drugs that are structurally related to testosterone, the main male sex hormone, and produce effects by binding to the androgen receptor (AR). Anabolism, Anaboli ...
nortestosterone.
Indoor world best progress
References
Discus throw recordsIAAF.org
{{Athletics record progressions
Discus, men
Discus*
Discus throw
World record discus throw