Karsten Kobs

German hammer thrower Karsten Kobs had his greatest moment in winning the 1999 World Championships, throwing 82.78 metres. He celebrated his gold medal by bathing in the water jump of the steeplechase course. The previous year he won the bronze medal at the Europeans. Kobs participated in three consecutive Olympics Games from 1996-2004. placing seventh as his best result at Athens in 2004 (after doping disqualifications of Ivan Tsikhan and Adrián Annus). In 1996 and 2000 he disappointed by failing to reach the final on each occasion.

Kobs won the national title in 1996 and again from 1999-2005. His father Reiner Kobs was his first coach, and his grandfather Rudolf Kobs was also a versatile track and field athlete and a very good artistic gymnast who was Olympic national gymnastics coach of Finland in 1923-24. Karsten later made his living by distributing locks and doors.

Personal Best: HT – 82.78 (1999).