Aussie thrower Matthew Denny makes massive statement ahead of Paris games with second at Marrakech Diamond League meet

He missed a medal by “less than a beer can” at the Tokyo Olympics but discus thrower Matthew Denny has improved on his 2021 effort by more than a keg to put himself in the frame for the podium at the Paris Olympics. Discover why he could increase his distance even further before the Games begin.

Matthew Denny ocompetes in the Men's Discus Throw Final on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

In 2021 Matthew Denny missed Tokyo men’s discus bronze by “less than a beer can”.

Needing to better Austria’s Lukas Weisshaidinger’s mark of 67.07m to secure a medal, Denny threw a personal best (67.02m) at the time in his last throw, but unfortunately it was just five centimetres short of the mark, seeing him finish in fourth.

“Five centimetres. Less than a beer can. I definitely need a gin or two after this,” Denny said at the conclusion of the final.

“Yeah, it hurts. I’m happy – best performance by an Australian male in athletics at an Olympics, but my goal is not to do that, it’s to win, to do my best and I knew I had more there so it just kills.

“I hit it and I knew it was good. I knew it was better but yeah, it felt like a while that’s for sure.

“To know I was just off and to see that four … four sucks. Fourth sucks man.”

Now just two months out from the Paris Games the Allora product is near the peak of his game again.

Matthew Denny finished second in the Marrakech Diamond League with a throw of 67.74m. Picture: Getty Images

Denny finished second in the Marrakech Diamond League in Africa early Monday morning (AEST), beating home a field that included Tokyo Olympics champion Daniel Stahl and world champion Kristjan Ceh.

The Allora talent, who threw 67.74m with his first attempt, was beaten by world record holder Mykolas Alekna with a throw of 70.70m.

Denny’s throw in Morocco, which was the fifth best of his career, would’ve been enough to secure silver in Tokyo

Earlier this year Denny threw a personal best 69.35m and in doing so he set an Australian - just weeks after recovering from a bout of Covid.

Ahead of the Paris Games he is adamant he can reach those lofty heights again.

“Today was an interesting one. I’m happy with being in the top-3 again and being competitive but Alekna was out there with a 70m throw and I just couldn’t find the rhythm for the big throw today,” Denny told Athletics Australia after his performance in Africa.

“This is the most competitive I’ve been over the last eight or nine months but I could still say that I’m not content with where I’m sitting or how I’m competing yet.

“There is still something that is ready to come out in competition where I’m just that bit better.

“I’m critical on myself but that’s what helps me continue progressing.”

It is also a huge confidence booster as he prepares for the Paris Olympics.

“It gives me great confidence that I’m consistently competitive,” Denny said.

“I obviously want to throw well to be competitive and I did that to an extent today but my focus is winning.

“It’s great to know where I sit at this time in the season but at the same time it’s only May and the Olympics aren’t until August so there is the time still to find those bigger throws yet.”