Kristjan Čeh (born 17 February 1999) is a Slovenian track and field athlete who specializes in the discus throw. He has been a leading figure in international discus competition since the early 2020s, achieving multiple major championship medals and setting a personal best of 72.34 m.
Early life and background
Čeh was born in Ptuj, Slovenia. Growing up on a dairy farm, he performed physically demanding tasks from an early age, which contributed to his development of strength and stature; he stands 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) tall. He began training in athletics under the guidance of former Olympic champion Gerd Kanter, who remains his coach.
Career
Čeh emerged on the senior international scene in the late 2010s. His breakthrough came at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, where he won the gold medal in the men’s discus throw, setting a championship record. He followed this with a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. In European competition, Čeh secured the gold medal at the 2022 European Athletics Championships. He has also been successful on the Diamond League circuit, winning the discus‑throw title in 2022.
Personal best
Čeh’s best recorded distance is 72.34 m, achieved on 24 May 2025. This mark places him among the longest throws in the event’s modern era.
Ranking and recognition
He attained the world No. 1 ranking in the discus throw in 2023. In addition to his competitive successes, Čeh has been recognized as one of Slovenia’s top athletes and was selected among the ten best athletes worldwide in 2022.
International representation
Čeh represents Slovenia in all major international competitions, including the World Championships, European Championships, and the Olympic Games. His performances have contributed significantly to Slovenia’s prominence in the discipline of discus throwing.