Karl Birger Asplund (21 July 1929 – 1 July 2023) was a Swedish hammer thrower. He represented his native country at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics with the best result of 21st place in 1964. At the 1958 European Athletics Championships he placed sixth, setting a national record.[1][3]

Birger Asplund
Asplund in the 1950s
Personal information
Born(1929-07-21)21 July 1929
Anjan, Åre, Sweden
Died1 July 2023(2023-07-01) (aged 93)
Ås, Sweden
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventHammer throw
ClubIF Castor
IFK Västerås
Hofors AIF
Achievements and titles
Personal best66.37 m (1964)[1][2]

Asplund won 15 consecutive national titles in 1954–68 and became the Nordic champion in 1961 and 1963. Before 1964 he improved the national record 17 times.[4] In 1970 Asplund set the Masters M40 World Record at 64.70 m. It was broken almost two years later by Hal Connolly, the 1956 Olympic champion. Asplund's record was more than a metre and a half further than Connolly threw in the Olympics.

Asplund died in Ås on 1 July 2023, at the age of 93.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Birger Asplund. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Birger Asplund. trackfield.brinkster.net
  3. ^ Birger Asplund 1929-07-21. Swedish Olympic Committee.
  4. ^ Birger Asplund. storagrabbar.se
  5. ^ "Birger Asplund". Olympedia. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
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