Three-time Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser celebrates in Paris (© Getty Images)
USA’s Ryan Crouser claimed an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic men’s shot put title on Saturday (3), throwing 22.90m to secure the sixth senior crown of his career.
The world record-holder has been through a series of injury struggles this year but was a clear winner at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, backing his winning mark up with two other valid throws that would also have been enough for vistory.
Repeating the top two from the last two editions of the Games, his compatriot Joe Kovacs secured a third consecutive Olympic silver in the final round.
Throwing 22.15m, Kovacs matched the mark that Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell recorded in round two and secured the silver thanks to his second-best put as Campbell bagged bronze.
“I’m just honoured. I feel so lucky to be out there competing,” said Crouser, who won his first world indoor title in Glasgow in March to go with his two world outdoor gold medals. “This year hasn’t been easy. The elbow injury, the back. Just so many setbacks. There was a lot of self-doubt as to whether I would get back. It made it all the more special to be out there tonight. There were a lot of times I thought I might not be.”
Crouser showed he meant business from his very first throw. After world leader Kovacs opened with 21.69m, Crouser responded with 22.64m and let out a roar.
Their compatriot Payton Otterdahl moved up into second place with his second-round 21.98m and it was a US top three.
After his strong start, Crouser seemed even happier with his own second-round throw and he clapped his hands above his head before the distance was confirmed as 22.69m, adding 5cm to his opening effort.
But then Campbell launched a 22.15m put, a mark just 7cm off his own national record, and moved into silver medal position.
Crouser continued to build towards 23 metres – a mark he has surpassed 13 times in his career so far as one of only four men, Kovacs included, to have ever surpassed the barrier – throwing 22.90m in the third round.
While he was unable to build on that as the rain started to pour, he had already done enough.
The opposite was the case for Kovacs, who saved his best for last. Despite the worsening conditions, he threw 22.15m to put him equal second with Campbell, but as the Jamaican was unable to get another valid mark in after his opener of 20.00m and 22.15m in the second round, Kovacs was confirmed as the silver medallist thanks to his second best put of 21.71m.
Kovacs has not missed a global outdoor podium since winning his first world title in 2015. He has gone on to win another world gold, two world silvers and a world bronze, as well as three Olympic silvers.
With his win secured, Crouser decided against taking his final attempt and instead started to celebrate his success.
“The rain came in, and it was tough conditions towards the end,” said Crouser. “It helped to be leading, but the throw of the day goes to Joe in round six. In the rain, improving from fourth place (to silver) was the most impressive throw I’ve ever seen him take.
“In Tokyo, I felt so much pressure to perform because I had just thrown the world record,” added the 31-year-old, who threw 23.37m in June 2021 and improved the world record again to 23.56m two years later. “I was in fantastic shape. It felt like it was mine to lose. Tonight, I just felt happy to be here.”
Like Kovacs, Otterdahl also had his best throw in the final round and finished fourth on 22.03m. Italy’s world silver medallist Leonardo Fabbri was fifth with 21.70m.
Jess Whittington for World Athletics
| MEN'S SHOT PUT MEDALLISTS | ||
| 🥇 | Ryan Crouser (USA) | 22.90m |
| 🥈 | Joe Kovacs (USA) | 22.15m |
| 🥉 | Rajindra Campbell (JAM) | 22.15m |
| Full results | ||
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