Records in Ramona for Connor Bell

New Zealand’s Connor Bell has once again made history, breaking his own national discus record with a huge 68.38m throw at the Oklahoma Throws Series #9 overnight in Ramona, Oklahoma.

Competing against one of the strongest discus fields seen in recent years, Bell finished seventh overall in a meet that saw Australia’s Matt Denny produce the second-longest throw of all time with a 74.25m throw.

Bell’s fourth-round effort of 68.38m eclipsed his own previous New Zealand record of 68.10m, also set in Ramona in 2024. Reflecting on the achievement after a challenging lead-in, Bell was characteristically humble and a little exhausted.

“I’m super stoked – although it might not sound like it because I’m very, very tired,” Bell laughed. “I got into Tulsa at midnight last night and had about three hours of sleep because of the old body clock time change.”

Despite the rough travel, Bell showed no signs of fatigue when it mattered. His opening throw of 65.58m already eclipsed his previous season’s best of 62.14m set at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne in March, before unleashing his record-breaking effort in round four.

“To tick off an automatic qualifier for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships and to be part of such an outrageously good lineup in the men’s discus at Ramona was pretty unreal,” Bell said. “I’ve been contacting everyone from home and letting them know – it’s unreal, I’m super stoked.”

Ramona is fast becoming a special venue for the 23-year-old, with both of his national records now set at the Oklahoma Throws Series. Bell’s consistency and ability to step up against elite fields are exciting signs as he builds towards a busy international season, including the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Bell will remain in Ramona for a series of upcoming meets over the next week – with more big throws surely still to come.