Olympic champion Ryan Crouser shattered the men’s Shot Put World Indoor record with only his first throw of the competition at the American Track League Meeting #1 here in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Sunday.
Crouser Breaks World Record With Ease
Although there was no doubt about the record improving, Crouser was made to wait a long time to get the official mark, which was confirmed at 22.82 meters – converted to 74 feet and 10½ inches.
“I just wanted to come back out and compete after training for so long,” Ryan said. “I was nervous before the first throw. …but I had a lot of energy.”
Crouser, who revealed that he is still under heavy training, expects to improve as the season progresses and when he tapers off.
“I feel like there is more there. I am excited to see what will happen,” he added.
Crouser’s effort, which was inches from clearing the entire throwing surface, broke the previous world and American record of 22.66m (74-4¼ ), set by American Randy Barnes on Jan. 20, 1989.
He also had another throw beyond the previous world record, which was 22.70m in the third round.
Who Finished Behind Crouser?
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi of Nigeria grabbed second place with a mark of 20.65m, achieved in the third round, while USA’s Payton Otterdahl was in third with 20.53m.
Meanwhile, the women’s 60m went to Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, who posted a time of 7.17 seconds to set a personal best in her first indoor meet in 10 years.
Okagbare, who got off to a slow start, managed to overcome the field to edge Jamaica’s Christania Williams (7.18) and American Kayla White (7.20) setting a personal best.
World champion Grant Holloway cruised to victory in the men’s 60m hurdles, to equal his American record and personal best of 7.35 seconds. He also improved Terrence Trammell’s previous facility record of 7.42, set in 2003.
–Symone Goss also added to the story.
