One captivating record and a commanding victory are soon followed by other impressive feats – each achievement forcing us to look again and again. And yet, Lithuanian discus thrower Mykolas Alekna remains unchanged: devoted not to numbers, but to the pure joy of sport.
“I absolutely love the entire process. Every morning I wake up with joy. I never have that feeling of dragging myself out of bed, thinking I have to go to training. The thought of heading to training every morning makes me happy. Honestly, I enjoy every moment. Throwing the discus is something I truly love right now.
Maybe it’s because I know there’s still room for improvement. I feel that progress almost every week – I keep discovering something new. The small details... It seems like the more time passes, the more I understand the sport. The whole process brings me happiness, and I’m certain it will continue to do so. I think this has nothing to do with performances in championships – it’s simply because I genuinely enjoy doing it,” the 22-year-old world record holder told LRT in an exclusive interview.
The latest jaw-dropping display came on 19 July in London, at the Diamond League event, where Alekna’s discus flew 71.70 metres – stunning the 60,000-strong crowd inside the Olympic Stadium. The throw not only electrified the fans but also became the new Diamond League record.
Immediately after the competition, Alekna emphasised how some had doubted his ability to throw far in enclosed stadiums – suggesting he could do so only in open fields. This performance, he said, was particularly satisfying in disproving those claims. Now, a couple of weeks on, he reflects on how it has boosted his belief even further.
“I think it really adds a lot of confidence. That throw showed that even without perfect conditions, in a full stadium with 60,000 people, I can still throw far.
Looking back, I hadn’t produced my best results at World Championships, European Championships, or the Olympics. I always fell short of the 70m mark. This time in London, in an Olympic stadium, I managed to deliver something truly impressive. I think now I’ll be even more assured heading into the World Championships.”
Asked whether the 71.70m effort might have sent a clear message to his rivals, Alekna smiles and agrees:
“I think so, yes. My competitors now know that if I’m having a good day, I’m unbeatable. Everyone’s probably just hoping I won’t have one of those days.”
Alekna is unfazed by commentary about his previous results in windy American conditions. For him, it has always been about the personal journey – not outside approval.
“I’ve never tried to prove anything to anyone. I know I can throw far – I do it in training, whether conditions are ideal or not. People probably don’t know much about the US stadiums where we train and try to justify those results that way. Still, it doesn’t upset me because I do everything for myself; I have nothing to prove. Those comments really don’t cause me any trouble.”
This season began with extraordinary form. In the United States, Alekna broke his own world record (74.89m), then went even further with a jaw-dropping 75.56m throw.
And the impressive form continued: in May, he claimed wins with throws of 71.29m, 69.86m and 72.12m. A minor dip followed at the NCAA finals (66.77m), but he bounced back with a win in Eugene and another victory on home soil in Vilnius (68.89m).
Before heading to London, Lithuania’s first Olympic gold medallist, Romas Ubartas, told LRT that Alekna was inching ever closer to the ideal of discus throwing. Alekna, however, is not concerned with lofty labels just yet.
“I don’t really think about that. I feel it’s better not to get caught up in that kind of thinking. Right now, I’m focusing on myself. Maybe at the end of my career, I’ll be able to look back and evaluate whether I achieved it or not. But for now, it’s not on my mind.”
Alekna also secured a stunning 72.15m result in the Lithuanian Championships, which took place in Palanga from 1–3 August. Since he missed last year’s edition, this return is especially meaningful.
“I’m really looking forward to the Lithuanian Championships – they’re fun competitions. Palanga has a great atmosphere and draws a good crowd. It’s been a while since I last competed in Lithuania. I felt the buzz again at the Jusis Training meet in Vilnius – competing at home, in front of home fans, is something special.
The support here is very genuine, and it feels great. It’s nice to give fans a bit of a celebration. I think it’ll be a good outing in Palanga, but I’m not setting any lofty goals for myself – just to win, enjoy it, and make it a celebration both for myself and for everyone who comes along.”
In his interview with LRT, Alekna also discusses changes this year, his move to Oregon, his new coach, the launch of his YouTube channel, and sends a warm message to his brother Martynas and sister Gabrielė, who is making promising strides in the discus.
How is this year's Mykolas Alekna different compared to last year's Mykolas?
I think I’ve definitely matured psychologically. I’ve been to a few World Championships and one Olympic Games. You can’t really compare the Olympics to anything else – it’s much more intense. I’d say this year I’ve definitely gained experience. It’s not a huge amount yet, but I feel more assured.
The Olympics are the peak – I’ve already been there, so nothing is more daunting than that (laughs). I know what to expect. The World Championships in Tokyo will be my third. The experience is there, and I think the results this season have added to my confidence.”
You finished your undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and signed a contract with the University of Oregon. How and why was that decision made?
I went to the US to get a good education – that was the aim. Of course, I wanted to continue competing too. Berkeley was a great place for me to grow. I gained a lot of experience and successfully completed my studies at a top university.
Since I still have a year of NCAA eligibility, I’ve decided to use it at Oregon. It may not be as prestigious academically, but in sporting terms, it’s one of the best places in the US. The conditions, the sporting culture, the coaching – it all supports athletic development. That’s why I chose it.
A new coach awaits at the University of Oregon – Brian Blutreich. Could you tell us a bit about him? Will you continue working with Mohamad Saatara, with whom you had a great collaboration at Berkeley?
I’ve already been working with more than one coach. I know what suits me and what training methods work. Nothing really needs to change because progress is still happening. The new coach will simply join the team. I think most of the communication will now be between him and Mantas Jusis. Still, I believe Mohamad will stay involved and offer his input. A bigger team, more viewpoints – that’s only a benefit.
The new coach will take the lead for a season, and I trust him. His CV is impressive and he’s achieved a lot, so I have no doubts.
You’ve created your own YouTube channel, where you released a video presenting your day. How did this idea come about – was it something you had been planning for a while, or was it a spontaneous decision? Also, do you plan to continue this activity and share more videos?
Yes, I definitely plan to continue. The idea had been on my mind for a while, but it was hard to get started. It’s a new niche for me, and I had to push myself a bit. Then, when IShowSpeed came to Lithuania, I thought – it’s the perfect moment to begin, start with a bang. The first video went really well, and I received lots of positive feedback. I’ll keep going.
The goal is to show what my life as an athlete looks like behind the scenes. There’s even a plan to travel with a cameraman to Diamond League events and show what goes on there. I’ve got plenty of ideas.
Why is it important for today’s society to show the behind-the-scenes moments, those invisible details? Can this significantly enrich people’s understanding of the sport itself?
When people can see behind the scenes, they begin to understand the athlete’s life and all the variables involved. I think the YouTube channel also brings more attention to the sport. Most people only see me on TV during competitions, but now I can share my personality, tell my story. It brings real value – to me, to discus, and to athletics as a whole.
How are you preparing for the World Championship in Tokyo? What will be the main focus points?
After the Lithuanian Championships, we’ll have a training camp in Palanga. It’ll be a tougher preparation phase – more training, heavier workload. We’ll also focus on refining the feeling of the throw. Then I’ve got a couple more Diamond League meets – final tune-ups before the World Championships.
After that, the full focus shifts to Tokyo. We’ll head there for a preparation camp and stay for nearly three weeks. That’s the build-up for the most important event of the season.
This season for your brother Martynas has been quite varied. There were some very good starts, but he also struggled with injuries. What would you wish for your brother, and from your perspective, what is most important for him right now?
I wish not to lose confidence – ups and downs are normal. I’ve had them too, like at the NCAA Championships. The main thing is not to give up or overthink it. I have no doubt he’ll be in top form for the World Championships. He’s experienced.
“I’m sure he’ll do well at the Lithuanian Championships, earn the ranking points needed, and we’ll both head to the World Championships together.
At the same time, your sister Gabrielė keeps improving her personal bests in the discus throw. Of course, as coach Mantas Jusis mentioned, she still needs time, but her results are already impressive. How do you view your sister’s enthusiasm for the sport from the sidelines, and does it make you happy that she is also trying to break through?
Yes, it’s great to see. She’s under a lot of pressure – two brothers competing at a high level, and our father was one of the greatest discus throwers ever. It must be tough, but she’s managing brilliantly, both in terms of performance and mentally. Her results are improving – it’s very exciting. First season and already 44 metres...
She’s now throwing the 1kg discus that adult women use. I think her results will continue to rise. I just wish her strength and the courage to stay true to herself.
In Lithuania, when we talk about discus throwing, we usually highlight you, Kristjan Čeh, Daniel Ståhl, and Matthew Denny. Much less is said about Jamaican thrower Ralford Mullings, who is showing excellent results. What’s your take on this athlete?
That’s true, he will definitely be competing for medals in Tokyo. He’s the same age as me, from the same generation, and has already reached a very high level. He’s a very consistent thrower, especially this season. There’s no doubt he’ll be in the medal hunt. It’s a pity he couldn’t come to Europe and take part in a few competitions. From what I talked to him about, he’s currently doing some kind of internship in the U.S., since he’s also a student. He performed well at last year’s Olympic Games and gained valuable experience, so he can definitely deliver a strong performance this year too.
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