eugene, United States, June 19, 2021 (AFP) — Olympic champion Ryan Krauser broke a 31-year-old shot-pitch world record at the pre-Olympic Games in the United States this Friday with a throw of 23.37m.
The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games gold medalist Krauser surpassed compatriot Randy Barnes’ previous record of 23.12m, set in 1990, with his fourth release in a thrilling final at Hayward Field in Eugene (Oregon).
The pitcher, born 28 years ago in Portland, Oregon, a 90-minute drive from Eugene, has secured a spot at the Tokyo Olympics, starting July 23.
Krauser broke Barnes’ world record indoors in January, reaching 22.82 meters at an event in Arkansas.
Most recently, Krouser was also pursuing the Outdoor Barnes brand, which it approached last month with a 23.01m launch.
This Friday, in the previous round, the American once again displayed his great moment with a throw of 22.92m, the fifth-best mark in history.
In Friday night’s final, Krauser took the opportunity to warm up with shots of 22.61m, 22.55m and 22.73m.
Later in his fourth season of the final, he surprised the audience with a spectacular launch in which he broke a world record.
In 2019, his legendary rival and world champion Joe Kovacs also qualified for Tokyo after finishing second with a throw of 22.34m. Peyton Otterdahl finished third with 21.92m.
RCW/GBV/MA/Mango
