Ryan Crouser: Shot Put King Retains World Title with Record-breaking Performance
Shot Put King Crouser Retains World Title in Style
Budapest, August 19, 2023 – In a gripping opening night of action at the World Athletics Championships, Ryan Crouser cemented his status as the undisputed king of the shot put.
Despite facing a sudden health scare with the discovery of two blood clots in his legs, the American superstar overcame all obstacles to retain the world title he claimed in Oregon last year. In the process, Crouser became the first man ever to hold both the world and Olympic shot put crowns simultaneously.
The 30-year-old from Boring, Oregon, showcased his innovative slide technique to deliver a performance for the ages. Leading from the very first throw, Crouser twice broke the championship record, first with a mammoth 22.98m effort in round two, and then a stunning 23.51m in the final round – just 5cm shy of his own world record set in May.
“That was a tough one,” he admitted. “The last throw was testament to all the hard work and dedication over the last year.”
As Crouser sank to his knees in celebration, the man redefining his sport must have reflected on what he could achieve with a trouble-free build-up. The current Olympic champion is now unbeaten in nine competitions this year, having donned an aura of invincibility.
The Podium
The top four finishers all surpassed 22 meters, with Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri claiming a lifetime best of 22.34m to secure silver. Crouser’s longtime rival, Joe Kovacs of the United States, took bronze with 22.12m, while New Zealand’s Tom Walsh missed out on a ninth global medal, finishing fourth with 22.05m.
Crouser’s emphatic victory came as a huge relief after the anguish of the preceding weeks. With the Olympic Games in Paris looming next year, the shot put icon has once again proven his superiority, cementing his status as the event’s most dominant figure.
🔗 Source
