by Larry EderIn 2021, Ryan Crouser broke a 32-year-old world indoor record, held by Randy Barnes, on his first throw. It was within the first minutes of The American League indoor premier broadcast that was, to frank, in nearly chaotic throes of launching. I have a corollary to Murphy’s Law, it is Larry’s Law: when shit happens, it happens in threes.
So, Ryan Crouser sets a new WR, it takes eight minutes to get properly measured, and it takes another few minutes to inform the TV crew. On top of that, a rather inexperienced crew was on the broadcast and it was a less than perfect way to showcase one of the finest throws, and what would be, one of the finest series of throws in athletic history.
On top of that, I was watching the meet in Wisconsin with my girlfriend. Kathy had been to the King City Invitational in April 1976 to see me race a 2 mile. The next time she visited a meet, was the 2020 New Balance Indoor GP in February 2020. The American League was her third meet to view, and she asked me if most meets were like this. I told her, well, sometimes.
Ryan Crouser has had a strange early season in 2022….
Ryan Crouser, Feb. 27, 2022, The Podium, USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris/ @kevmofoto
One other point. Ryan Crouser does great interviews. The guy loves what he does, and he is no B.S. I like that. I also love that he is a big large mouth bass fishing enthusiast. Probably keeps his sanity.
Saturday night, as I left the Podium for the first time, I noted Ryan heading in with his Dad, and his Mom, going to get in some throws and a feel for that ring .
At the Millrose Games, Ryan Crouser had a strange experience. He thought he had thrown a new world indoor record, then it was noted at 22.35m just after the meet, and then, a malfunction of the measuring equipment meant that all shot put throw distances were thrown out. It was an inexcusable mess.
Ryan Crouser, Feb. 27, 2022, The Podium, USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris/ @kevmofoto
Ryan Crouser kept his cool, and went back into training.
At the Centennial hotel, the head quarters of the meet, I saw Paul Doyle, the manager of Ryan Crouser, among other athletes. Paul is always positive, and his athletes love him, for his loyalty, support and belief in the sport and his athletes. Paul told me to watch for a WR from Ryan.
The next day, at the first day of the meet, Paul Doyle reminded me that a world record could happen today in the shot put.
Paying homage to the orb, Ryan Crouser, Feb. 27, 2022, The Podium, USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris/ @kevmofoto
Here’s the truth.
Ryan Crouser is to the men’s shot put what Mondo Duplantis is to the men’s pole vault. They are both physical geniuses who possess solid work ethics, drive, support teams and the desire to excel.
Ryan Crouser is at the top of his game every time he throws. His series was spectacular, for anyone but Ryan Crouser.
Ryan Crouser, Feb. 27, 2022, The Podium, USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris/ @kevmofoto
Ryan opened at 22.03m, meet leader. Then, he fouled.
On attempt 3, Ryan Crouser got his shoulder back in good position, and 22.23m, a second meet leader.
In his fourth throw, Ryan Crouser relaxed his arm and followed through, getting the sixteen pound orb out to 22.51m, a world leader and another big improvement.
Ryan was happy with throws 3 and 4, and. you could see his pleasure with his clapping after the throw. The smoke, from the white power he uses to keep his hands dry while throwing make for a surreal picture when he claps. I kind of like it.
Ryan Crouser, Feb. 27, 2022, The Podium, USATF Indoors, photo by Kevin Morris/ @kevmofoto
In his fifth throw, Ryan hit 22.39m, a good throw, but just not as far as his fourth.
In his sixth throw, there was a foul, but his 4 fair throws would have won the meet, in any case.
Ryan Crouser was in Spokane to make the team to Belgrade, where he will make some big throws. Will they be the world record? Not sure, but I do know that we will be entertained from his amazing throwing.
Another day, another shot put competition.
Oh, and throw some large mouth bass fishing into the day to keep one fresh.
Check out Ryan Crouser’s Instagram, as he shows pictures of beautiful bass.
Bass and throwing a sixteen pound orb, what else can one do?
Ryan Crouser is on a roll…
throwing for Belgrade.
