EUGENE — Ryan Crouser shook off a challenge by rival Joe Kovacs and dramatically won the men’s shot put Sunday in the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field.
Kovacs took the lead away from Crouser with his fifth attempt in the six-throw competition, launching a monster of 75 feet, 1¼ inches.
That left Crouser second with a mark of 74-6¼. But not for long.
With much of the crowd of 12,095 rhythmically clapping, Crouser entered the ring and launched. The shot traveled 75-3¼, and Crouser was back on top.
Neither bettered their marks in the final round, and Crouser lifted his arms in triumph. He is the world record-holder and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but never before had won a world championship.
Crouser grew up in Gresham, went to Barlow High School and came of age competing at Hayward Field. To win here, and come from behind to do it, was a dream come true.
“They joked that I was cursed and it was just not in the cards,” Crouser said. “But 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.”
It was a total team effort. Crouser and Kovacs were followed by Team USA’s Josh Awotunde, third with a heave of 73-1¼. It’s the first time three athletes from the same country have swept a shot competition at the world championships.
Awotunde announced himself by throwing the 73-1¼ with his first attempt. After the first round of throws, Crouser found himself in third place, behind Kovacs and Awotunde.
Crouser took the lead with his second attempt with a mark of 74-6¼, and held it until Kovacs uncorked in the fifth round.
The crowd was into the competition in a way it often isn’t for the shot put. The women’s pole vault was going on, too. The roars from successful clearances in the vault and big throws in the nearby ring went back and forth.
“I didn’t know what was going in in the shot put,” winning vaulter Katie Nageotte said of the constant crowd reaction. “But they call it Haward Magic for a reason.”
And so it was for Crouser as he geared up for his fifth attempt. He gestured for the rhythmic clap, strode into the ring and cut loose with what would be the winner.
He knew it was good and pumped his fists as the shot landed and the fans cheered.
“The crowd was loud,” Crouser said. “They were into it, and cheering every single throw. Not just for myself, but all of Team USA. It was the best shot-putting atmosphere I’ve ever seen.”
The fans might have liked everything, but they liked their native son the most.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the crowd, no doubt,” Crouser said. “They were loud and they were enthusiastic.”
On Sunday, Crouser didn’t threaten his world record of 76-8¼, but that can wait.
Kovacs was the defending world champion after winning in Doha, Qatar, in 2019.
Crouser came into the competition with the four best throws in history and seven of the top 10. He doesn’t lose often. But Kovacs is dangerous, and a constant threat.
“Ryan and I knew we were going to battle,” Kovacs said. “There is never a guarantee of a medal, but I think we knew we were in good shape.
“But I think Ryan and I are really proud of Awotunde, out here, first throw, throwing a PR. A sweep on American soil is an amazing feeling. It’s something we’ve always talked about. Today, we finally executed it.”
Here are results from the World Athletics Championships.
— Ken Goe for The Oregonian/OregonLive
KenGoe1020@gmail.com | Twitter: @KenGoe
