Gerd Kanter (born May 6, 1979 in Tallinn, Estonia) is an Estonian discus thrower. He competed at the 2004 Olympics, but didn't reach the final. 2005 was his breakthrough year as he won silver medals at the World Championships and World Athletics Final, took home a victory in the European Cup and won the World University Games. He also threw more than 70 metres for the first time.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he took gold with a throw of 68.82 meters, one meter ahead of second-place finisher Piotr Malachowski of Poland.
On September 4 2006, in Helsingborg, Sweden, Kanter threw more than 70 metres in four different rounds (69.46 - 72.30 - 70.43 - 73.38 - 70.51 - 65.88). The best mark of 73.38 m was the third best in history – only Jürgen Schult (74.08 m, 1986) and Virgilijus Alekna (73.88 m, 2000) have thrown further.
On 15 March 2009 he won the European Cup Winter Throwing event in Los Realejos, Tenerife, Spain with 69.70. On 22 March 2009, he set a world indoor best 69.51 in Växjö, Sweden.
In competition, he has represented Tallinn Kalev since 9 January 2007, and before that he competed for Pärnu SK Altius.
Kanter is coached by Vésteinn Hafsteinsson Iceland). His first coach was Ando Palginõmm, he has also been coached by Helgi Parts, Aleksander Tammert Sr and until 30 August 2006 Uno Ojand.
