Tracking the rise of Matt Denny after bronze in Paris Olympics discus throw

Matt Denny has risen from a homemade discus circle on his family’s farm to bronze at the Paris Olympics in “the greatest men’s discus final ever”. Look back at his incredible rise.

Looking back on the rise of Olympic discus thrower Matt Denny.

Matt Denny has finally done it! After finishing fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2023 World Championships, the Aussie discus throw breakthrough overnight, claiming bronze in Paris.

Denny, who grew up in the tiny Darling Downs town of Allora, channelled those memories – specifically a cubby house that was 85m from a makeshift discus circle he used to practice – in his charge to Olympic glory.

Finishing behind Jamaica’s surprise winner Roge Stona, who threw 70m, Denny almost broke his personal best by throwing 69.31 metres. We take a look back over the years to track the rise of Australia’s newest Olympic bronze medallist.

Matt Denny, centre, in 2010 at a 14-year-old, gets some tips from former Olympic shot-putter Justin Anlezark. Denny great up in the tiny Queensland town of Allora, located 60km outside of Toowoomba.,

Even as a 14-year-old, Matthew Denny was winning medals. As early as Year 1, Denny was threw bean bags as shot puts and vortexes as javelins. In high school, his focus turned to rugby league, but everything changed when his parents build him a homemade discus circle on their rural property.

Matthew Denny as a 15-year-old, two years before winning the World Under 18 Youth Championships.

Matt Denny training with his coach Graham Pitt in 2012, when he was 16.

Matt Denny at home in Allora where he trained twice a day before flying to Europe for the World Youth Championships in track and field in 2014.

Matt Denny in 2013 after winning the World Youth Championships in discus. Denny had put his tertiary studies on hold to chase Commonwealth Games selection.

Matthew Denny during his last training session on the family farm at Allora before leaving for the Rio de Janiro Olympics in 2016.

Matt Denny back home in Allora after winning selection in the Australian team for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Matthew Denny competes at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He missed out on the finals. Picture: AP Photo

Matty Denny after winning silver in the hammer throw at the 2016 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, with gold medallist Matt Dry of Scotland, and bronze medallist Nick Miller of England. Denny finished fourth in the discus throw at the same Games. Picture: AAP Image

Matthew Denny competes in the men's discus throw final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He finished fourth with a throw of 67.02m. Picture: AFP

Matthew Denny celebrates after winning the men's discus throw final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. He threw a personal best of 67.26m. Picture: AFP

Matthew Denny in action at the Paris Olympics, where he would throw 69.31m, claiming bronze. Picture: AFP

Matthew Denny, after winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, celebrates with Nina Kennedy, winner of the women's pole vault event. Denny she tears for his father, who remains in Australia due to health injuries. He has already set his sights on the London 2028 and the Brisbane 2032. Picture: AFP

A tribute to Matt Denny outside the Railway Hotel in his hometown of Allora. Picture: ABC Southern Queensland