Chase Ealey: Two-Time Shot Put World Champion’s Spectacular Rise
Two Years Ago, Chase Ealey Watched From Afar; Now, She’s a Two-Time Shot Put World Champion
Springfield, Illinois native Chase Ealey has experienced a remarkable turnaround in the last two years. In 2021, the 29-year-old with the distinctive pigtails and face paint was left lamenting a fifth-place finish at the US Olympic trials, forced to watch the Games from the sidelines. How times have changed for this rising shot put star.
On home soil in Oregon last year, Ealey etched her name in the history books, becoming the first American woman to claim the shot put world title. Fast forward to the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, and Ealey has further cemented her status as a global powerhouse, joining an elite club of multiple world champions in the event.
Ealey took the lead with her opening throw of 20.35 meters and never looked back, fending off a late challenge from Canada’s Sarah Mitton, who posted a season-best 20.08m in the fifth round. The American responded emphatically, improving to 20.43m to secure the gold medal with room to spare.
“It’s even more satisfying than last year because this year I’ve struggled to get my technique sorted and get everything right,” Ealey reflected. “So, for it to come together at the right time is perfect.”
The battle for bronze was a ding-dong affair, with veteran Chinese thrower Gong Lijiao edging out world indoor champion Auriol Dongmo to claim her third world title. Gong’s throw of 19.69m proved just enough to hold off Dongmo’s matching effort.
As the finalists were introduced, Ealey’s distinct appearance, with her thick purple eye shadow and creative face paint, made her a standout figure. She then proceeded to produce the performance of the opening round, sending her shot out beyond the 20-meter mark to take the lead.
Ealey’s victory solidifies her position at the top of the global shot put hierarchy, joining an esteemed group that includes the legendary Dame Valerie Adams of New Zealand and China’s Gong Lijiao and Huang Zhihong. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Ealey’s remarkable journey from heartbreak to greatness is sure to capture the attention of shot put enthusiasts worldwide.
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