Highland Games Throwing the Hammer
Scottish Highland Games. Throwing the Hammer. This event represents an old Scottish contest where young locals would compete to see who could throw the blacksmith's heavy sledge hammer the furthest. The sphere of the hammer, now weighs either sixteen pounds or twenty two pounds and, unlike the Olympic hammer, the Scots hammer has a wooden shaft measuring four feet two inches long overall. No turning is allowed. The thrower stands with his back to the trig and takes a good grip, with the aid of six inch spikes which protrude from the front of his boots. The hammer is swung round the head to gather momentum and the released. The hammer should fly straight off behind the thrower. It requires strength and good timing.
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