FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Olympic champion Ryan Crouser set a new world indoor shot put record to highlight the American Track League meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, here on Sunday. Crouser had two throws beyond the previous world record and three efforts well over 22 meters on the day.
Coming into the meeting, which was the first in the 2021 World Athletics Indoor Tour, Crouser new he could challenge the world record and he didn’t take long to achieve the target after heaving the shot put 22.82 meters (74 feet, 10½ inches) on only his first attempt in the competition.
The American broke the mark of 22.66 (74-4¼) set by Randy Barnes on Jan. 20, 1989. Crouser also threw 22.70m on his third attempt, which is also better than the old mark, while he completed that competition with an effort of 22.48.
Crouser Delighted With The Impressive Start
“It’s a pretty good start to 2021,” Crouser said during an interview with ESPN. “I feel like there is more there.”
“First meet, first throw … usually it’s a rocky start. The consistency is pretty good,” he added. “For me, it’s a continuation to develop my throw. These are usually things I’d see in June or July.”
His record is now pending ratification.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi finished second with an effort of 20.65m with third place going to USA’s Payton Otterdahl with 20.53m.
Bromell Back To His Best?
Meanwhile, sprinter Trayvon Bromell took a big step towards recovering from his injury problems after posting an impressive 6.48 seconds to dominate the men’s 60m dash.
Bromell, who had been hampered by injury for almost four years, was full of emotions during his post race interview and he believes this is the beginning of a special comeback.
The 2016 World Indoor champion outpaced former NCAA star Divine Oduduru of Nigeria to the finishing line to come within .01 seconds of his personal best.
Oduduru took second in 6.65 with Jamaica’s Andre Ewers getting third in 6.67.
Several big names, including Canadian Andre De Grasse and Great Britain’s Adam Gemili failed to advance to the final.
In the women’s race, Nigerian Blessing Okagbare made an impressive return to the indoor setup after 10-years by posting 7.17 seconds to set a personal best.
Jamaica’s Christania Williams was just a step behind in 7.18 with American Kayla White (7.20) setting a personal best for third place.
Holloway Made It Looked Easy
World champion 110m hurdles champion Grant Holloway got his campaign off to a flying start after clocking 7.35 seconds to equal his American record and personal best. Countryman Michael Dickson was a distant second in 7.54 with Trinidad and Tobago’s Ruebin Walters even further back in 7.65.
Fred Kerley fell short of his attempt to break the men’s indoor 400m world record after the American could only manage a time of 45.03 secs, which was some way off Kerron Clement’s 2005 mark of 44.57.
Kerley said during his interview after the race that he probably could have gotten a lot closer to the record had it not been for some foot wear issues.
Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor got his indoor career off to a decent start, finishing second to Kerley in 45.73.
In other results at the American Track League meet #1 on Sunday, Gabby Thomas set a new personal best and Randal Tyson record of 35.92 seconds to win the women’s 300m, Tonea Marshall set a personal best of 7.86 to beat fellow American Christina Clemons (7.88) to win the women’s 60m hurdles, while Quanera Hayes captured the women’s 400m with 51.76.
World bronze medalist Vashti Cunningham of USA cleared 1.90m to secure top spot in the women’s high jump with Megan Clark going of 4.50m for first place in the women’s pole vault competition.
