USA’s Ryan Crouser threw 23.56m to improve his own world shot put record at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, this season’s sixth World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, on Saturday 27.
Making history on a sunny but blustery afternoon at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, Crouser added 19cm to the previous world record of 23.37m that he recorded at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene in June 2021.
The explosive 23.56m throw was achieved by the world and Olympic champion on his fourth attempt.
Crouser said that although the throw was good, he has more left in him.
“I’m really excited because it didn’t feel polished,” Crouser explained. “It felt like I had a tonne of power and I caught a big one.”
Crouser has been working on a new technique, which involves a larger step across the ring rather than a more static stance. He said that he used the step in rounds two through to six, and the technique really “clicked” for him.
“I finally saw that spread I’ve been looking for,” Crouser added. “That’s what has me the most excited.”
He was already sending remarkable throws into the field before the record — his first attempt of 23.23m becomes the joint fifth-longest throw in history and his second attempt of 23.31m is the third-longest throw in history. His series also included marks of 22.94m, 22.86m and 22.80m.
Olympic bronze medallist Tom Walsh of New Zealand was second with a throw of 22.12m, and USA’s Payton Otterdahl came in third with a personal best of 21.99m.