Early Competitors

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 Romuald Iosifovich Klim (Belarusian: Рамуальд Язэпавіч Клім, Russian: Ромуальд Иосифович Клим, 25 May 1933 – 28 May 2011) was a Soviet hammer thrower He competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics and won a gold and a silver medal, respectively. Klim was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor in 1965

In those years Klim was lighter (ca. 90 kg) and physically weaker than  elite Soviet throwers, but he had a strong mental balance and a superior  throwing technique 

Klim's technique (smooth, powerful four-turn style) was hugely influential in the Soviet system, and many see Bondarchuk's approach as building directly on that foundation — refining power application, rhythm, and the winds/turns that became hallmarks of the 1970s-80s Soviet dominance.

Klim (representing the Soviet Union, from Belarus) won gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (69.74m Olympic record)

Kilm was the defending gold medalist entering the 1968 Mexico City.  He managed only the silver with 73.28m being edged out by Hungarian gold medalist Gyula Zsivótzky 73.36m. It was  an unbelievably close battle, with only 8 cm deciding the gold.

Klim took the WR from Gyula Zsivótzky on June 15, 1969 in Budapest 74.52m (244' 5").

In 1969, Anatoliy Bondarchuk exploded onto the scene with his European title and two world records 74.68m and 75.48m, becoming the next dominant Soviet hammer thrower leading into his 1972 Olympic gold.

Gyula Zsivótzky (25 February 1937 – 29 September 2007) was a Hungarian hammer thrower. He retired in 1973.

He won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics, silvers in 1960 and 1964, and  finished fifth in 1972.  His epic duel with Klim in Mexico City 1968 (winning by just 8 cm) is legendary.

Zsivótzky set two world record: one in 1965 in Debrecen, Hungary, September 4 measuring 73.74 m (241' 11") and  the other on September 14, 1968 in Budapest 73.76 m (242').

He was twice elected as Hungarian Sportsman of the Year: in 1965, after winning at the Summer Universiade, and in 1968, for his Olympic gold medal. 

Zsivótzky won the British AAA Championships title in the hammer throw event at the 1965 AAA Championships and 1966 AAA Championships.

Zsivótzky's: more dynamic entry and powerful turns, emphasizing speed through the circle.