Gerd Kanter Biography: Ethnicity, Awards, Net Worth, Athletics, Age, Wife, Olympic Medals

Gerd Kanter is an Estonian former discus thrower and one of the most dominant athletes in the event during the 2000s and early 2010s.

Olympic champion in 2008, World champion in 2007, and winner of the 2008 World Athlete of the Year award, he threw over 70 metres 32 times – more than any other thrower in history at the time of his retirement.

Profile

• Full Name: Gerd Kanter
• Stage Name: Gerd Kanter
• Born: 6, May 1979
• Age: 46 years old
• Birthplace: Tallinn, Estonian SSR, Soviet Union
• Nationality: Estonian
• Occupation: Retired discus thrower, coach, sports administrator
• Height: 1.96 m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: 1
• Spouse: Alina Kanter (m. 2018)
• Children: Kristjan Kanter
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $4 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Gerd Kanter was born on 6 May 1979 in Tallinn, Estonia. He grew up in a non-sporting family but discovered discus throwing at age 17 when a local coach spotted his size and strength during a school competition.

He trained under legendary Estonian coach Uno Ojand and later under Aleksander Tammert’s father, Ando Palginõmm, before moving to Väinö Shkolniy and later Vésteinn Hafsteinsson in Sweden.

Kanter graduated from Tallinn Technical School with a focus on mechanics and later completed coaching courses. He is of Estonian ethnicity and non-religious.

Career

Gerd Kanter made his international breakthrough in 2005 when he won bronze at the Helsinki World Championships with 68.57 m.

He dominated the next decade: gold at the 2007 Osaka World Championships (personal best 73.38 m in 2006 remains his career high), Olympic gold in Beijing 2008 (68.82 m), Olympic bronze in London 2012, and World silver in 2009 and 2011.

He won the Diamond League overall title in 2012 and 2013 and collected 13 consecutive Estonian championships.

Kanter was known for his extraordinary consistency, throwing over 69 metres in every major final he reached between 2007 and 2013.

He competed at five Olympic Games (2004–2020), with his final appearance in Tokyo at age 42. He retired after the 2021 season as the most decorated male track-and-field athlete in Estonian history.

Gerd Kanter now works as a throwing coach, serves on the Estonian Olympic Committee executive board, and is a popular television commentator and motivational speaker.

In 2023 he opened the Gerd Kanter Discus Academy in Tallinn to develop the next generation of throwers.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @gerdkanter
• Facebook Handle: Gerd Kanter
• Twitter/X Handle: @GerdKanter

Personal Life

Gerd Kanter married Alina Kanter in 2018 after many years together. Their son Kristjan was born in 2019. The family lives in Tallinn and owns a summer house in western Estonia.

Kanter is known for his laid-back humour, love of classic cars and barbecues, and remains extremely popular in Estonia. He has been open about the physical toll of elite throwing and now promotes healthy lifestyles for retired athletes.

Net Worth

Gerd Kanter’s estimated net worth is $4 million to $5 million. The bulk comes from Diamond League and Golden League prize money, Olympic and World Championship bonuses, long-term sponsorships, coaching income, speaking fees and real-estate investments in Tallinn and Pärnu.