Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs, Day 3: Global stars win World Champs medals, some first time medals, one for the fifth time

We are fortunate to welcome back, Sam Fariss, a recent Oregon Duck grad and an enthusiastic journalist and media specialist. Sam wrote on the third-day medalists, some new, one taking fifth, some adding different colors to their medal collection. 

Global stars win World Champs medals, some for the first time, one for the fifth.

By Sam Fariss

Athletes like Ryan Crouser and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are no strangers to TrackTown, USA’s Hayward Field – or the incredible accomplishments that are achievable there. On day three of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, both stars returned to glory, earning gold in their respective events.

Crouser, an Oregon native, has found success on the world stage on numerous occasions, topped the men’s shot put podium at the World Outdoor Champs for the first time with a phenomenal toss of 75 feet, 3¼ inches. This throw earned him a World Championships record as well as first place, just ahead of his American teammate, Joe Kovacs, by just two inches. Crouser has two Olympic golds, Rio and Tokyo, and has won silvers at World Indoors and World outdoors, well, until July 17, 2022, when he took his first World Champ gold. Not bad for the most dominating shot putter in history and a man who owns the world indoor and world outdoor world records.

“It was worth the wait to finally secure that first world championship in front of friends and family in a place that feels like home,” Crouser said.

Team USA took first, second and third place in the shot put competition, with Josh Awotunde earning bronze with a throw landing just beyond 73 feet, 1½ inches.

Fraser-Pryce, a 35-year-old mother from Jamaica, earned her fifth world title as the Jamaican women swept the final for the 100 meters. The sprinter crossed the finish line in a jaw-dropping 10.67 seconds – another championship record for the day.

“To continue to do it at 35, having a baby, still going – hopefully, I’m inspiring women that they can make their own journey,” Frasier-Pryce said.

Elaine Thompson-Herah, the third place finisher, was the topic of discussion for track fans entering into the race that evening as many suspected she had the opportunity to break Florence Griffith-Joyce’s world record of 10.49 seconds. This was Elaine Thompson-Herah’s first individual World Championship outdoor medal! Remember, Elaine has won the 100m/200m at Rio 2016 and at Tokyo 2020! 

“It means a lot to us,” Thompson-Herah said. “One, two, three at the Olympics and one, two, three at the Championships. Even though I wanted to win, it didn’t work out. But I’m still keeping the journey going.”

She will have another chance at earning gold for Jamaica this week as she is entered into the women’s 200-meter competition as well with the second fastest time in the world so far this season.