Jake Norris: British hammer thrower set for World Championship debut

There are plenty of transferable skills between rugby and hammer throwing, especially the combination of strength, power and agility that are needed.

But Norris’ event is one of the most complex to master in track and field.

It involves a metal ball, weighing 7.26kg for men and 4kg for women, attached to a steel wire which has a handle to hold onto.

Athletes typically rotate three or four times to build speed, before releasing the hammer out of the throwing cage.

Many do not reach their prime until late in their careers as they grow both physically and in terms of experience.

“Realistically, I’ve got two or three Olympic cycles still to go and I’m not at my peak until the second one if you base it normally on age, so I’m really excited,” said Norris.

“It’s just about getting the consistency and showing up when you need to.”

The Windsor athlete had been coached by former BBC commentator Paul Dickenson for 12 years, until he passed away last November.

Dickenson, a two-time Olympic hammer thrower, broadcasted from every Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2014.

“He tried his best to come to every single competition I did, no matter where it was,” said Norris.

“It’s been quite hard. For the most part this year, I have been self-coached.

“But I think he gave me what I needed to be able to do it.”