American shot-putter Ryan Crouser secured his third consecutive Olympic gold medal on Saturday in a remarkable display of skill that has never been seen in the sport’s history. Competing in Saint-Denis, France, Crouser used his distinctive throwing technique to achieve a seasonal best throw of 22.90 meters.
Crouser, who holds both the world record at 23.56 meters and the Olympic record at 23.30 meters—both of which he set—managed to outlast his competitors despite challenging weather conditions that saw rain disrupt the event. Many athletes struggled with the slick surface, but Crouser maintained control during his spins.
Reflecting on the difficulties of the past year, including injuries to his throwing elbow, the 31-year-old athlete expressed gratitude for his opportunity to compete. He noted, “This year hasn’t been easy… There were a lot of times I thought I might not be.”
Crouser acknowledged fellow American Joe Kovacs, who secured the silver medal after climbing from fourth place. This marks the third consecutive Olympics where both athletes will share the podium, with Kovacs earning silver each time.
“The rain came in, and it was tough conditions towards the end,” Crouser commented after the event. He praised Kovacs, stating that his impressive final throw was the highlight of the competition.
Crouser previously triumphed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and again at the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021. While he views himself as a tough competitor, he has learned to manage the pressure since the Tokyo Games, where he felt immense expectations after having set the world record.
Crouser, who holds degrees in economics and finance from the University of Texas, employs his knowledge of engineering and analytics to refine his throwing technique, known as the “Crouser Slide.” This innovative method gives him an additional spin, enhancing speed and explosiveness.
Training for shot-put is an extensive full-body exercise. Crouser elaborated, “We train sprints like a sprinter. Our plyometrics are very, very dynamic, as well as almost like an Olympic weightlifter meets a long-drive golfer.”