About Martin

Martin the Coach

Current Roles

• National hammer throw coach, Swiss Athletics (since 2013)
• Throws coach, LC Zürich (since 2010)
• Athletic development coach, GC Zürich Rugby (since 2016)

Coaches Education

• Completed Swiss Berufstrainerausbildung and qualified as a Jugend+Sport Expert. Also certified USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, World Rugby Level 1 Coach, and World Rugby Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach.
• Experience athletics clinician who has worked with national federations in US, Switzerland, Uk, Scotland, Portugal, Belgium, as well as European Athletics.
• Delivered continuing education in rugby for: England Rugby (RFU), Rugby Australia, Scottish Rugby (SRU), as well as professional teams Northampton Saints (English Premiership) and Munster Rugby (Pro12).
• Published work in Modern Athlete and Coach, New Studies in Athletics, Track Coach, Leichtathletik Training and various well-known training websites.

Martin the Athlete

Facts

• Sports: Track and Field (Hammer Throw) and Rugby (Prop)
• Personal Best: 67.90 meters (222′ 9″)
• Height: 188cm (6’2″)
• Weight: 112kg (246 lbs.)
• Birthday: 16 August 1983
• Club: LC Zürich and Grasshopers Club Zurich Rugby
• Coach: Self, consulting from Anatoli Bondarchuk and Nick Garcia

Accomplishments

• 21st place at the 2014 European Championships
• 11-time Swiss national champion in hammmer throw (2009 to 2020)
• Swiss national champion in rugby (2023)
• National team member from 2007 to 2020. Represented Switzerland in 16 competitions including the European Championships (1x), European Team Championships (9x), European Throwing Cup (4x), Jeaux de la Francophonie (1x), and other national team competitions (1x)
• Ranked 8th all-time in Switzerland and as high as 91st in the world by the International Association of Athletic Federations.
• Two-Time NCAA All-American at the University of Washington, including a 6th place finish at the 2007 NCAA Championships.
• Also top five finish at Swiss championships in stone throwing and shot putting.