Ryan Crouser smashed the shot put world record with a throw of 23.56m on Saturday at the Los Angeles track and field meeting.
The 30-year-old American, reigning double Olympic champion, erased from the shelves his previous reference mark of 23.37 m established in 2021 during the American selections for the Olympic Games, in Eugene (Oregon).
His throw was first measured at 23.58m before the organizers revised the mark down 2cm.
Nevertheless, his performance is significant since he improves his record by no less than 19 cm. Enough to make him, more than ever, the big favorite in the specialty at the World Athletics Championships, of which he is the defending champion and which will take place in Budapest in August.
During his previous attempts under the California sun, the native of Portland had given the harbingers of a feat within reach, with jets at 23.23 m then at 23.31 m.
In February, during an indoor competition taking place in Idaho, Crouser improved his previous record by one centimeter with a throw of 23.38 m, but this performance was ultimately not approved by the International Federation. athletics, due to a throwing circle that was two centimeters too large.
