THE BEST SHOT PUTTERS in the world may be forgiven for thinking they had a chance to beat Ryan Crouser. The winner of the last 5 major outdoor golds had not even thrown in a standard competition this season because of his injured throwing elbow. The status of that joint remained a mystery to everyone outside of Crouser’s camp. Any wannabe podium topper had to figure, if not now, when?
Crouser proved his fitness in qualifying by lobbing one out to 70-1½ (21.37), just past the auto-qualifier. Teammate Tripp Piperi threw farther at 70-5¼ (21.47), and Kiwi Tom Walsh led at 71-4 (21.74).
In the final, Walsh quickly jumped into gold position with his season best 71-11¾ (21.94). Then Crouser stepped up, beginning his spin more slowly than usual. He punched it to 70-3 (21.41).
In round 2, Crouser spun faster to put himself in the lead with a 72-1¾ (21.99). World leader Leonardo Fabbri moved into bronze position with his 71-7½ (21.83). USATF champ Josh Awotunde got his best throw of the day, a 69-4¼ (21.14) that ultimately would place him 7th. The next stanza saw Crouser produce a 71-6 (21.79). Fabbri’s best throw of the day landed just barely outside the sector line. Piperi got his best, a 70-6½ (21.50); he would finish 6th.
Ten throwers continued in round 4. While Crouser fouled, the biggest marks went to Fabbri at 70-10 (21.59) and Mexico’s Uziel Muñoz at 70-6½ (21.50).
Round 5, with 8 throwers, put the heat on the defending champion. First Walsh exploded to 71-11¾ (21.94) to move to 2nd before skipping out of the ring in celebration. Then Fabbri matched that distance a throw later, bumping ahead on the next-best mark. For Crouser, this was all too close for comfort and he responded with a huge 73-3½ (22.34).
Muñoz shocked the most out of the 6 throwers in the final round. He blasted a 72-1 (21.97) which held up for silver, pushing Walsh off the podium. When the throwing was done, Crouser, careful of his elbow, declined his final toss.
“Every championship has a different aspect to it but this one is the one I am most proud of,” said the winnerr. “I really didn’t know what kind of shape I was in. It was kind of a fake it till you make it. There has been a lot of doubt to be honest. We left one of the best in the world at home so I felt like I owed it to Joe…
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