BUDAPEST – Longhorn legend Ryan Crouser defended his world champion title at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in the shot put in record-breaking fashion.
Crouser, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion added another title to his name after dominating the shot put finals. Crouser needed one throw in the qualifying round to advance to Saturday night’s final. Crouser threw for 21.48m to earn the automatic qualifying position.
Once in the finals, Crouser led from the very first throw of 22.63m. On his second attempt, he improved his lead with a heave of 22.98m to break the Championships Record for the first time and later added a third throw over 22 meters at 22.28m. The Boring, Ore., native was the only competitor to throw over 22 meters, let alone four times.
On his sixth and final attempt, Crouser broke the record again at 23.51m, just centimeters off his world record throw of 23.57m and is the second best throw in history.
Tara Davis-Woodhall and Ackelia Smith both advanced to Sunday’s long jump final representing USA and Jamaica, respectively. Davis-Woodhall needed just one jump to reach the finals with her mark of 6.87m, while Smith needed her third and final jump after two fouls to advance at 6.78m.
Live coverage of the 2023 World Championships are being streamed on Peacock and NBC Sports. Tomorrow’s long jump final will be live at 9:55 a.m. CT.