American Ryan Crouser Smashes Shot Put World Record At Olympic Trials

Ryan Crouser set a new shot put world record at the US Olympic Trials on Friday.

The 28-year-old threw 23.37m at the new Hayward Field in Oregon, breaking the previous record of Randy Barnes by 25cm.

Crouser, who is the reigning Olympic champion and won silver at the 2019 World Championships, broke the indoor world record earlier this year with a throw of 22.82m, a feat which also broke a world record held by Barnes.

The Portland native set the new record in the fourth round with a throw which nearly landed outside the pit. He, and the crowd, immediately knew it was a massive throw, and a possible world record.

In qualification for the shot put final, Crouser had thrown 22.92m, just 9cm off his personal best, and what was at the time, the fifth further throw ever.

2019 World champion Joe Kovacs finished second at the shot put trials, throwing 22.34m.

Ryan Crouser breaks shot put world record

WORLD RECORD. BY EIGHT INCHES.@RCrouserThrows didn't just set the world record in the shot put, he OBLITERATED IT.@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/P3SaKwouIP

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 19, 2021

"It's a really special moment for me on my first time at the new Hayward Field," said Crouser.

"I've wanted that world record for so long, it feels like a weight has been lifted. I knew the strength and the power was there, I just had to get it into the ball. I've been thinking about this moment since I started throwing. To finally do it is pretty special."

Randy Barnes's record had stood since May 1990. The 1996 Olympic gold medallist has served a 27-month ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in August 1990.

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