Ryan Crouser completed an incredible world championship shot put hat-trick on Saturday, matching his three Olympic golds, despite not having thrown once all season before the morning heats. The American produced a winning effort of 22.34 metres to claim gold at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
It was an extraordinary performance by the 32-year-old, sidelined for most of the season by an elbow injury. He had hinted at a comeback in the morning qualifying round with a throw of 21.37m. In the final, he improved with every attempt: 21.41m on his first, 21.99m on his second, and finally 22.34m on his fifth, sealing the 12th men’s shot put gold for the U.S. in the last 16 world championships.
World Athletics Championship, Day 1: Updates
Mexico’s Uziel Munoz produced a national record with his final throw of 21.97m to claim a shock silver. Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri took bronze after a tense countback with New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, both athletes throwing 21.94m, with Fabbri’s superior second-best mark giving him the edge.
Crouser, the world record-holder, made a magnificent return, competing for the first time in a year. The three-time Olympic champion had been sidelined due to a nerve issue in his throwing elbow, which had troubled him even during his gold-winning performance in Paris. He was given a wild card entry as the defending world champion, having last competed in September 2024 at a Diamond League event in Brussels.
BEATRICE CHEBET WINS 10,000M GOLD
In the women’s 10,000m, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet continued her stellar year, adding a world title to her Olympic gold. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, the defending world champion, led a front pack of four into the final lap, but Chebet’s strong finish saw her cross the line first in 30:37.61. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti claimed silver in a national record time of 30:38.23, while Tsegay took bronze in 30:39.65. Chebet had also set a world record in the 5,000m at the Prefontaine Classic in July.
In the mixed 4400m relay, the United States dominated to win gold in 3:08.80, setting a world championship record. The team of Bryce Deadmon, Lynna Irby-Jackson, Jenoah McKiver, and Alexis Holmes held a commanding lead throughout. Even a blistering final leg from Dutch star Femke Bol could not challenge them. The Netherlands took silver, while Belgium narrowly edged Poland for bronze.
– Ends
