Tokyo Olympics: Ryan Crouser wins gold, sets record in shot put
TOKYO – There is nothing boring about Ryan Crouser. The Oregon native won his second consecutive gold medal in the shot put at the Olympics, throwing a record 23.30 meters in Thursday’s final.
Ryan Crouser, of United States, center, celebrates after winning the gold in the final of the men’s shot put with Joe Kovacs, of United States, left, silver, and Tomas Walsh, of New Zealand, bronze, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Ryan Crouser, of United States celebrates after winning the gold in the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Olympics, shot put, men, final at Olympic Stadium. Ryan Crouser of the U.S. wins gold, displaying a sign during his lap of honor that reads, "Grandpa, we did it, 2020 Olympic Champion."
Ryan Crouser, of United States celebrates after winning the gold in the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Ryan Crouser of the USA competes in the men’s shot put final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on August 5, 2021.
Ryan Crouser, of United States competes on his way to winning the gold in the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Joe Kovacs, of United States celebrates taking the silver medal in the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Joe Kovacs, of United States, silver, competes in the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Tomas Walsh of New Zealand celebrates after winning the bronze medal in the men’s shot put final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, August 5, 2021.
Tomas Walsh, of New Zealand, reacts during the final of the men’s shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo.
Crouser, 28, from Boring, Oregon, added gold in Tokyo to his first-place performance at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Crouser achieved his Olympic record-setting throw on his final toss. Crouser’s record-breaker topped his second attempt, which traveled 22.93 meters and was temporarily the Olympic mark.
Crouser’s third attempt traveled 22.86 meters.
Crouser’s American teammate, Joe Kovacs, won the silver medal, while New Zealand’s Tom Walsh captured the bronze.
Crouser already owns the world record in the shot put, The Oregonian reported. The burly 6-foot, 7-inch athlete broke a 31-year record at the U.S. Olympic trials in June when he threw the ball a world record 23.37 meters (76 feet, 8¼ inches), according to The Associated Press.
Before the Games, Crouser said he was aiming to extend his world record to 77 feet.
“It’s always about going out and trying to further my PR. … I think I can go farther. I think 77 is definitely possible,” Crouser told USA Today. “If we can move up to 77 (feet) or even just higher in the 76s then I’ll be happy.”
Crouser did not break 77 feet, missing it by just over 6 inches. But a second Olympic gold medal is plenty of consolation.
