by Larry EderThe 2022 World Indoor Athletics Championships will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, from March 18-March 20. Over the next week, #RunBlogRun will post a series of previews, written by Stuart Weir and Larry Eder. We hope that you enjoy it!
Ryan Crouser throwing at the Podium, Feb. 27, 2022, photo by @kevmofoto/ Kevin Morris
The word was, in January 2021, that Ryan Crouser was in great shape. I recall speaking with Ryan the week after his opening competition, where Ryan Crouser had broken the 32 plus year World indoor record of Randy Barnes, with his first throw of 22.82m. In this competition, Ryan threw 74’10.5″ (22.82m), breaking Randy Barnes WR from 20 January 1989, of 22.66m. The deep thought from January 24, 2021, was this: Ryan Crouser broke the World Indoor record twice in one competition, his 22.82m opener and his 22.70mm on his third throw.
In a clip from the second meet at the American Track League, Ryan Crouser spoke about his fitness and his belief that he would go over 23 meters in 2021. It was not that much longer, on June 18, 2021, at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, that Ryan Crouser took the World outdoor record in the shot put, going 23.37m, or 76’8.25 inches. It was astounding, as Ryan had set a new stadium record of 22.91m in the prelims, his mark that night was spectacular. On that day, I wrote that Ryan Crouser how had taken the indoor and outdoor records of Randy Barnes.
After his world record, Ryan responded with this quote to the waiting media:
“I didn’t know it was a world record but I knew it was good, so the second it left my hand even before it left my hand I knew it was a good one… when it popped up it was actually a little bit further than I thought… You can just see it’s over 22 by a chunk, I think the people in the stands actually knew it was a little bit farther than I thought… to see the 23 pop up on the screen was really special.”
In Tokyo, Ryan Crouser defended his Olympic title from Rio 2016 and set a new Olympic record with his massive 23.30m throw (76’51/2″). In recollecting on 2021 with Stuart Weir, Ryan admitted that he was just so happy that Tokyo 2021 happened, given the cancellation in 2020. His throwing in Tokyo showed his fitness and his enthusiasm had not waned for the sixteen-pound orb that he throws.
2022 opened strangely for Ryan.
At the Millrose Games, Ryan Crouser thought he had broken the world record with a throw of 23.31m. The throw was then credited at 22.51m, then, due to a malfunction, something I had not seen in the shot put in my lifetime, the entire competition was thrown out. No marks.
Ryan Crouser throwing at the Podium, Feb. 27, 2022, photo by @kevmofoto/ Kevin Morris
Ryan Crouser did not lose it, he commented that he would go into training for the US champs for three weeks. I also found some Instagram photos of Ryan bass fishing, and I noted that it was cool he had another passion.
At the U.S. champs, on February 27, 2022, in Spokane, Washington, Ryan gave the new facility, The Podium a stunning Meet record with the throw of 22.51m! In my article on the shot put, I noted that Ryan Crouser looked great, he was following through, and not, as he has admitted to in the past, getting in the way of his own throwing. His goal was Belgrade, and he is definitely ready for the World Indoor Championships.
How will he do in Belgrade?
At this time, Ryan Crouser competes with Ryan Crouser. If he has a bad day, he can be beaten, and that has happened before. I do not see that. I would expect a world leader once again. I do not think forecasting a World record is good for anyone. I want to see a strong competition.
As he heads to Belgrade, we know that Ryan Crouser will be fun to watch in the Men’s shot put.
