Ryan Crouser did not want to wait for the Olympics, scheduled from July 23 to August 8, to strike a huge blow.
From the first day of the US selections for the Tokyo Games, this Friday in Eugene (Oregon), the 28-year-old athlete broke one of the oldest records in athletics, that of the shot put.
On the fourth try, the American (2.01m, 145kg) threw 23.37m, beating the mark of 23.12m set in 1990 by Randy Barnes.
WORLD RECORD.
BY EIGHT INCHES. @ RCrouserThrows didn't just set the world record in the shot put, he OBLITERATED IT. @ Usatf |
# TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/P3SaKwouIP
- #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 19, 2021
This 31-year-old world record was also disputed, because it was achieved just before Barnes' suspension for doping.
Ryan Crouser, he continues his momentum of recent months.
Vice-world champion in Doha 2 years ago, indoor world record holder in January (22.82 m), author of the fourth best performance in history at the end of May (23.01 m)… The master discipline had prevented the competition by winning qualifying earlier in the day with a throw to 22.92m on his first try.
"Feasible" to go further
Overjoyed, Crouser came back to his feat at length. “I've wanted this world record for so long, I feel less weight on my shoulders. I have been thinking about this day since I started the weight. Getting there is a very special feeling. On my throw I felt it was going to be good very quickly, if you look at the pictures I'm almost already celebrating my throw before the weight leaves my hand! "
At the heart of the new setting of American athletics, Hayward Field, the native of Portland (also in Oregon) knocked out the reigning world champion Joe Kovacs (22.34 m) and Payton Otterdahl (21.92 m ). The three athletes will therefore meet in Japan. But Crouser is already thinking about something else. "Can I go further? Up to 77 feet (23.47 m)? Yes, I think it's doable, I haven't made the perfect roll yet. "
