World record-holder makes it three Olympic titles in a row with another dominant show
The world has become accustomed to Ryan Crouser creating shot put history, and the American did it again on Saturday night (August 3) by becoming the first person ever to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the event.
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The world record-holder, who came out on top in Rio and then Tokyo but has had injury issues to deal with this year, was in commanding form once again in the French capital – a season’s best of 22.90m in the third round proving to be more than enough to come first ahead of compatriot Joe Kovacs and Jamaican Rajindra Campbell.
Both lodged best throws of 22.15m but the American took silver thanks to his second-best effort being further.
Crouser sent out an impressive statement of intent with his opening throw, sending the shot out to 22.64m, almost a metre clear of Kovacs’ opening 21.69m. Payton Otterdahl’s 21.39m meant USA athletes occupied all of the medal positions after the first round, before Campbell moved into second spot with that 22.15m.
Crouser strengthened his hand further with a follow-up of 22.69m, before his lead went out even further thanks to what was a season’s best. Otterdahl got closer with 22.01m to move to third, while Kovacs sat fourth with 21.71m as the top eight of the field moved into the “final three” format of the competition.
Heavy rain began to affect proceedings as the foul count began to mount up, making Kovacs’ 22.15m effort that gave him a third consecutive Olympic silver all the more impressive.
“I’m just honoured. I feel so lucky to be out there competing,” said Crouser. “This year hasn’t been easy. The elbow injury, the back… just so many setbacks. A lot of self-doubt as to whether I would get back. It took a lot to get back to where I had been in the past. It’s made it all the more special to be out there tonight. There were a lot of times I thought I might not be.
“In Tokyo, I felt so much pressure to perform because I had just thrown the world record. I was in fantastic shape. It felt like it was mine to lose. Tonight I just felt happy to be here, I felt so appreciative.”
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