jabalina

Jabalina is the Spanish term for javelin, a light spear used both as a weapon in ancient times and as a sporting implement in track and field. In classical contexts, a jabalina was designed for throwing at distance or for thrusting. In modern Spanish-language usage, jabalina typically refers to the sport implement and to the event known as the javelin throw.

Construction and design: Traditional jabalinas have a wooden shaft with a metal head. Modern competition jabalinas are often made from aluminum or composite materials and include a grip section and a carefully balanced tip. In men’s events, the standard jabalina weighs 800 grams and is about 2.6 to 2.7 meters long; in women’s events, it weighs 600 grams and is about 2.2 to 2.3 meters long. To regulate flight distance and safety, governing bodies revised specifications in the late 20th century, including changes to center of gravity and other dimensions.

Usage and technique: Competitors throw from a runway into a throwing sector measuring 28.65 degrees. Performance depends on speed, angle of release, and the aerodynamics of the spear. The javelin must land within the sector and tip-first for the throw to be measured. Javelin throwing has roots in ancient cultures, including Greek and Scandinavian traditions, and was later formalized as a modern sport in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Records: The current world record in the men’s event is 98.48 meters, set by Jan Železný of the Czech Republic in 1996. The women’s record is 72.28 meters, set by Barbora Špotáková of the Czech Republic in 2008.