Connor Bell. Photo: Photosport
Athletics New Zealand says Connor Bell has broken the New Zealand men's discus record with a throw of 66.14 metres.
The 21-year-old made the throw at the pre-Potts Classic meeting in Hastings, breaking the previous record set by Ian Winchester 21 years ago by 1 metre and 11 centimetres.
Athletics New Zealand said the record is yet to be ratified.
Bell has previously taken the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games title and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games gold medal.
To put his performance in perspective, his New Zealand record-breaking throw of 66.14m would have earned him a silver medal at the Birmingham 2002 Commonwealth Games and seventh place at last year's World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The automatic performance standard for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August is 67.00m.
An elated Connor said: "It's a cool thing to set the record because Ian threw the mark 21 years ago and I'm 21 years old. By setting the record it means New Zealand discus throwing is in a good space and generally New Zealand throwing is in a good space. I'm super rapt, but I'm not going to hang my hat on it, I feel like I'm just warming up.
Connor struck gold at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games but in late-2021 he broke an ankle which impacted him throughout 2022.
Last year he was crowned national and Oceania champion but below his best at the Commonwealth Games he finished eighth with a best of 60.23m.