American shot-putter Ryan Crouser made history on Saturday by winning his third consecutive Olympic gold medal, a first in shot-put history. Competing in challenging weather conditions in Saint-Denis, France, Crouser’s unique throwing technique allowed him to outshine his competitors, with his best throw measuring 22.90 meters.
Crouser, who holds the world record at 23.56 meters and the Olympic record at 23.30 meters, displayed a cautious approach in the rain-soaked competition. While some competitors struggled with the slippery circle, Crouser managed to maintain control despite dealing with injuries throughout the year, including issues with his throwing elbow.
Reflecting on his journey, the 31-year-old said, “This year hasn’t been easy. A lot of self-doubt as to whether I would get back. 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.” He also praised fellow American, Joe Kovacs, who won silver after improving his position in the final rounds, marking their third shared podium at the Olympics.
Crouser previously won gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and again in 2021 at the Tokyo Games. Despite his success, he has learned to manage the pressure of performing at such high levels. “In Tokyo, I felt so much pressure to perform because I had just thrown the world record,” he admitted.
His innovative approach to shot-putting, which he calls the “Crouser Slide,” incorporates engineering and analytics principles he studied during his academic career. This technique allows him an extra spin, enhancing his explosive power when releasing the shot. Crouser emphasized the importance of comprehensive training, balancing speed, dynamics, and strength to perfect his technique.