USA’s Ryan Crouser broke his own world shot put record at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, on Saturday (27). Crouser threw an impressive 23.56 meters, surpassing his previous record of 23.37m set at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene in June 2021.
“I am just so excited about the performance today,” he said. “It’s early in the so that’s a great true outdoor season opener. It’s the first meet I’ve had with good weather this year.
He added: “The training, I think, kind of showed itself [and] the best thing is I’m still on high volume, heavy throws in the ring and heavyweights in the weight room.
“We are just starting to work on some speed, so I am excited to see, with some proper training what I can get out there.
READ MORE: Full Results – 2023 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix
Crouser displayed his dominance from the start, opening his series with a throw of 23.23m. In the second round, he extended his distance to 23.31m, coming closer to the back barrier of the throws area.
Despite a slightly shorter throw of 22.94m in the third round, Crouser stepped into the circle for his fourth attempt and unleashed a powerful throw of 23.56m. His celebration was evident as he raised his arms and applauded once the distance was confirmed.
“I didn’t know if it was going to be 23.20 or 24 meters,” he said. “I knew it was good. It’s a BIG PR. I’m excited about how I can continue to develop that high-intensity throw so that I know right away when they’re good. I’m lacking high-intensity throws right now.”
The exceptional series continued for Crouser, as he recorded 22.80m in the fifth round and 22.86m in the sixth round, solidifying his extraordinary performance.
“Overall, that was my best series by far,” Crouser revealed. “I’m really, really happy – not just with the world record but a consistent series early in the season like that.”
READ MORE: Marie-Josee Ta Lou (10.88), Sha’Carri Richardson (10.90) advanced at USATF LA Grand Prix
Completing the podium was Olympic bronze medalist Tom Walsh of New Zealand, who finished second with a throw of 22.12m, while USA’s Payton Otterdahl came in third after recording a personal best of 21.99m.
Maggie Ewen defeated compatriot and world champion Chase Ealey of the United States to win the women’s shot put title at the inaugural Los Angeles Grand Prix meet.
Ewen threw a personal best of 20.45m in the third round of the competition to improve her previous lifetime best by almost one meter on her way to setting a new world-leading mark.
The 2021 Diamond League Final winner now moves to third on the US all-time list, as Ealey, who is second on that all-time list and owns a PB of 20.51m getting second this weekend with 19.98m.
Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas-Dodd continued her promsing start to the season with a third-place finished which was rewarded with a new Jamaican record of 19.77m.
Additional reporting by Gary Smith included in this report
