Ryan Crouser Smashes Shot Put Record at World Athletics Indoor Championships
The Mighty Throw Heard Around the World: Ryan Crouser Shatters Shot Put Record at World Athletics Indoor Championships
Glasgow, UK, 24 March 2023 – In a triumphant display of power and precision, American shot put legend Ryan Crouser sealed the deal on the opening night of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, delivering a championship record-breaking performance of 22.77m to claim the elusive gold medal.
The two-time world outdoor and Olympic champion, who also holds the world record, savored this momentous victory sweetly, having fallen short of the top spot at the last edition of the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade two years ago. On that occasion, Brazil’s Darlan Romani snatched the gold with a throw of 22.53m, relegating Crouser to second place despite his own championship record of 22.44m.
“It’s a big honor,” said Crouser, who remains unbeaten indoors since Belgrade. “There’s a fantastic atmosphere tonight – a great energy to feed off. Technically, it was a bit iffy at times, but the power was there. This is a great stepping stone to the Olympics for me.”
This time, the defending champion from Brazil finished well off the podium in seventh, managing a best effort of 21.11m. Crouser, on the other hand, was unstoppable, landing the four farthest throws of the competition at 22.77m, 22.69m, 22.51m, and 22.36m, with his only other valid mark measuring exactly 22 meters.
The Battle for the Podium
New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, celebrating his 32nd birthday, claimed the silver medal with a first-round throw of 22.07m, securing his fifth successive World Indoor Championship medal. The bronze went to Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri, the silver medallist from last year’s outdoor World Championships in Budapest, who threw 21.96m. Fabbri’s Italian teammate Zane Weir took fourth place with 21.85m, while Walsh’s Kiwi compatriot Jacko Gill finished fifth with 21.69m.
The thrilling competition saw Fabbri open with 21.96m, only for Crouser to immediately stamp his authority with a massive 22.36m throw. As the battle for the minor medals unfolded behind him, Crouser continued to extend his lead, eventually shattering the championship record with his final effort of 22.77m, the second-best shot put performance in the event’s history.
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