Ryan Crouser’s Shot Put Dominance Continues as World Records Tumble

Ryan Crouser, the enigmatic American shot putter, has cemented his standing as the preeminent force in the sport. Since last April, the 30-year-old has not recorded a throw shorter than 22 meters, a testament to his remarkable consistency and prowess.

Crouser’s latest triumph came in May, when he shattered his own world record with a mammoth throw of 23.56 meters, surpassing his previous mark of 23.37 meters set in 2021. Remarkably, the two-time Olympic champion believes he has even more to give, stating:

“I’m really excited because it didn’t feel polished. It felt like I had a tonne of power and I caught a big one.”

The defending world champion’s dominance was on full display at last year’s World Championships in Oregon, where he led the USA to a historic shot put sweep. Crouser claimed gold with a championship record of 22.94 meters, while teammates Joe Kovacs and Josh Awotunde secured silver and bronze, respectively. With Crouser’s automatic qualification as the defending champion, the USA will field a formidable quartet of shot putters in Budapest, increasing their chances of repeating the feat.

Crouser’s Rivals Seek to Dethrone the American Juggernaut

However, Crouser’s rivals will be eager to dethrone the American juggernaut. Two-time gold medalist Kovacs comes in with a season’s best of 22.69 meters, while New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who has beaten Kovacs in three of their four meetings this year, boasts a personal best of 22.58 meters and will be determined to return to the podium after a fourth-place finish in 2022.

Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell, whose national record of 22.22 meters set in Madrid is more than two meters better than his previous best, will make his global championships debut, while Italy’s Zane Weir and Leonardo Fabbri will look to capitalize on their strong domestic form. World indoor champion Darlan Romani of Brazil, the last man to defeat Crouser at a major event, will also be a contender.

Women’s Shot Put: American Duo Lead the Charge

In the women’s shot put, the American duo of Chase Ealey and Maggie Ewen lead a strong U.S. contingent. Ealey, the reigning world champion, has been working on a new technique, while Ewen, the world leader, looks primed for her first global medal after several near-misses. Veteran Gong Lijiao of China, the most decorated athlete in the field, and Portugal’s Auriol Dongmo will also be in the mix for the podium.

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