Willamette Week's Spring Membership Drive

If you rely on WW for news, we're asking you to become a Friend of WW today. Every dollar from readers makes a real difference.
Click here to donate.

Watch Portland-Born Ryan Crouser Break a 31-Year-Old World Record in Shot Put

He set an American Olympic trials record earlier in the day on Friday.

Ryan Crouser Ryan Crouser at the 2016 Olympics. IMAGE: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil.
By Matthew Singer

A Portland native shattered a world record in shot-put at the Olympic trials in Eugene last week.

On June 18, at University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, Ryan Crouser threw the shot 76 feet, 8¼ inches, annihilating the previous record of 75-10¼, set by Randy Barnes in 1990.

“I’ve been after that world record so long, it felt like a weight was lifted to finally get it,” said the 28-year-old, who was born in Portland and grew up in Boring, Ore. (He now serves as a volunteer coach at the University of Arkansas.)

Crouser won the gold medal in shot put at the 2016 games in Brazil. Earlier this year, he beat Barnes’ indoor record, and he set an American Olympic trials record earlier in the day on Friday.

Watch Crouser’s world record throw—featuring a Steph Curry-like celebration, in which he throws his hands up in victory almost as soon as the shot leaves his hand—below.


Thanks for reading our story! If you find value in what we’re doing, support our Spring Membership Drive today.