“Shot putting is like riding a bike”: Ryan Crouser speaks after his Tokyo victory

“Shot putting is like riding a bike”

1. Not competing all season because of injury, you must be feeling pretty emotional. Tell us, how does that feel?

Ryan Crouser: Every world championship, every Olympics has a different aspect to it.  I think this one is the most I’m the most proud of. It wasn’t the distances that probably people had hoped to see, but at 32, I opened my season at a world champs that we had a qualifying and final same day with the injured elbow to walk away with a win was something I’m very proud of. So Happy to just be here, happy to be competitive. And I was coming in really not knowing what  shape I was in. I had tons and tons of people ask me, how far am I expecting to throw? And this is my first time throwing hard since last September 2024 at the Diamond League final. So I really didn’t know what  shape I was in. I have been doing  the most that I can without setting the elbow back. But I’ve been very limited number of throws, very limited distance, very limited speed work. So to win a medal with  as improper of preparation is what I’ve had is something I’m very proud of.

2. And how do you manage trying to come into these championships confident and believing in yourself when you’ve had such a difficult year, really?

Ryan Crouser:  Yeah, it’s  definitely challenging. I mean, there’s a lot of doubt, to be honest.  We left one of the best shot putters in the world at home, which definitely there was, there’s a lot of people upset about that. So I felt like I (had) to compete. I felt like I owed it to Joe to come out here and execute. But yeah, it was challenging because you want to go into a world championship knowing where you’re at or having some idea. So it was  a bit of fake it till I make it today. And so I really didn’t know what  shape I was in. And it just  built through the rounds. I felt like it started a little bit rocky. I was a little bit concerned with that first one because I really thought it was a good throw. I celebrated. I thought it was good. And then it was like 21.40m. And I was like, I thought it was like a 22.40m. So that had me a little bit worried, but I felt like it was  riding a bike. I had to learn to throw hard again because it felt like I was going really fast and I really wasn’t. It wasn’t pretty at all tonight, but I’m proud of how I executed on the mental side and built through the rounds and responded when those guys started to improve as well.

3.You were the only guy over 22 metres today. If you’re not that far behind, but what did it feel like after that throw? 

Ryan Crouser:  It did. I had to wait because it felt good in the ring, but I had to wait to see it land because I’d already celebrated a 21-40 like it was a 22-40. So I had to wait to see it land, clear that 22 line to  have a bit of a sigh of relief. So that was it was a big improvement. It’s tough competing qualifying finals, same day. And so I think that showed a little bit tonight. But I thought that the guys might be a little bit closer. I was ready to respond in that round six because it was a fantastic field, an extremely talented field with a lot of world champs and Olympic medals out there. So the guys definitely made me earn it and kept me on my toes tonight.

4.And do you have any ideas for what’s next for you? Is it back to resting, recovering for next season? Maybe planning some more shot put series competitions?

Ryan Crouser:  Yeah, so it’s some big changes coming for me. My career is taking a little bit of a backseat. My wife is a doctor and so she started her residency program in Nashville. So we’re moving houses. I’m just  starting with a new training group or expanding the current training group. So continuing coaching Roger Stona, adding Peyton Otterdahl, maybe a couple others as well. So it’ll be expanding the training group and World Shut Putting  Series as well. We have no major championship this next year, so we’ll  fill that gap hopefully with some quality World Shot Series events. The growth that we’ve seen with that has been really promising, especially with events outside of traditional athletics. Some within the strength community, within a whole new sphere of influence in the sports world is really exciting. And so hopefully continue to grow the sport in some new areas. Also Get the elbow healthy. And I’ll be some elbow rehab as well as packing up some boxes and loading a moving truck.

5. Seb Co said yesterday that Out of all of the events, but the ones he competed in himself, the one he was most looking forward to was the men’s shot put. What is that like to hear someone so influential in the sport say about your sport?

Ryan Crouser:  Yeah, I think it’s a testament to the work that the guys in the event have done to  grow the shot put as one of the more premier field events in all of track and field because, the throws historically have taken a back seat, but the people that we can get eyes on the event It’s a high intensity event that the crowd can get behind and athletes respond to the crowd, which is special. So I’m honored to hear that and proud of the, not just myself, but all the guys in the sport that come out and put on the show and work hard week after week to continue to grow the event of shot put.

We won’t be at the ultimate championship, so we’re all getting left at home on that.

World Champs bonus! #IntheMixedZone with #RyanCrouser! September 13, 2025