'What a beast': Athletics fans in shock over 'insane' world record
American star Ryan Crouser has stunned the athletics world on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics, smashing the shot-put world record that had stood for 31 years.
Crouser set a new world record with his mark of 23.37 metres at the US Olympic track and field trials on Friday.
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The 2016 Olympic champion obliterated compatriot Randy Barnes' previous record of 23.12 set in 1990 with his fourth throw of a gripping final at Hayward Field in Oregon.
The 28-year-old from Portland had already claimed Barnes' world indoor record in January, throwing 22.82 at a meeting in Arkansas.
Crouser screamed the moment the shot-put left his hand.
Before he even saw it land, he raised his arms to celebrate, not needing an official measurement to know it was a world record.
The insane throw obliterated the previous record by 25 centimetres and almost landed outside the designated area.
Crouser won the competition by beating world champion Joe Kovacs (22.34), with Payton Otterdahl (21.92) taking third.
He beat it by EIGHT INCHES!!! That's insane!!
Lifetime Longhorn, Ryan Crouser, ladies and gentlemen. https://t.co/3dr9gfhzUM— Jeff Jones (@JeffJonesSports) June 19, 2021
The Mens Shot Put Competition was INSANE! Ryan Crouser #WorldRecord and 5 more Athletes with Monster Throws! I love this sport! #TrackandFieldTrials21 pic.twitter.com/gWQPmWq6Of
— Coach SAL (@MilfordXC) June 19, 2021
Ryan Crouser just threw a 16lb ball 76’ 8 1/4”. Go get a tape measure and try to picture throwing a bowling ball that far. 😳 https://t.co/7UR04hpV7D
— Rod Murrow, JD (@RodMurrow) June 19, 2021
WORLD RECORD 23.37m FROM RYAN CROUSER!
Totally worth staying up until 3:08am for!— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) June 19, 2021
OMGGGGGG
— Coach Codutti (@coachcodutti) June 19, 2021
What a beast! 👏 🇺🇸
— Kevin (@KevinL67810288) June 19, 2021
Good for you big stud. That is awesome. Love the reaction.
— BigStimpin (@BigStimpin) June 19, 2021
World Record!! Incredible accomplishment, Ryan Crouser!! Congratulations!!💪💪 #TokyoOlympics #TeamUSA
— Johnny Boyd (@ArchConfidence) June 19, 2021
76 feet with a 16 lb cannonball. Unreal
— Kyle Robinson (@imkylerobinson) June 19, 2021
Athletics world in disbelief over Ryan Crouser feat
The 2016 Olympic gold medallist has been steadily hunting down the outdoor record this season, throwing a world-leading 23.01 last month.
In qualifying earlier on Friday, Crouser again signalled he was in prime form after a hefty 22.92 heave — the fifth-longest throw in history.
In Friday night's final, Crouser took his time, warming up with throws of 22.61, 22.55 and 22.73.
Then with his fourth throw of the final, he unleashed a monster throw to claim the world record in style.
About a half-minute passed while officials checked the distance. When it came up on the board, he was mobbed by his competitors over near the circle.
Crouser, who was second in the world championships in Doha in 2019, didn't miss a day of training in 2020 - even with the coronavirus pandemic shutting things down across the globe.
He built a home-made shot-put ring that he constructed out of two sheets of plywood and screws from Home Depot.
Another sign of his dedication: He consumes about 5000 calories a day to retain the 320 or so pounds on his six-foot-seven frame.
His diet consists of two big breakfast burritos in the morning, a pound of ground beef for lunch and three of the four portions from a meal delivery service at night.
The meals of a champion - and now, the meals of a world-record holder, too.
with agencies
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