Two-time defending Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser took a calculated approach to qualifying at the US Olympic track and field trials on Friday. With a sore elbow and a healing torn pectoral muscle, he opted for a single attempt, launching the shot 21.44 meters, good for the third-best mark of the evening. More importantly, the elbow felt good heading into Saturday’s final, where the top three finishers will earn a spot in the Paris Games.
“It’s been been a tough road, for sure,” said Crouser, whose world record stands at 23.56 meters (77-3 3/4) set last season. “But I’m proud of how I’ve overcome what has been a really difficult spring.”
His journey began with pain in the ulnar nerve of his elbow at the world indoor championships in early March. Just as that started to subside, he tore his pectoral muscle while weightlifting. Then, the ulnar nerve pain returned. He underwent a procedure in April where the doctor lifted the nerve out of the ulnar groove using a saline solution. “Super uncomfortable,” Crouser said. “But it helped.”
For over two months, he couldn’t throw with his usual intensity. He even adjusted his technique, opting for a more efficient approach with less force, instead of his world-record-breaking “Crouser Slide” style. He believes there’s potential to combine both techniques in the future. “In the long run, it’ll be productive because if I can combine my classic big hammer finish with a more efficient (technique) out of the back, hopefully adds more distance,” Crouser said.
The 31-year-old Crouser also dealt with a health scare last summer, diagnosed with blood clots. Despite the setbacks, he won a world title in Budapest, Hungary, with teammate Joe Kovacs taking bronze. Kovacs, the top thrower in the world this season, had the best attempt in qualifying on Friday at 22.13 (72-7 1/4). He has finished behind Crouser at the past two Olympics.
“For me, it’s frustrating just knowing that I’ve thrown 23 (meters) multiple times and I’m sitting on the couch,” Crouser said. “I love being out there and competing against the guys, but the biggest thing is you’ve just got to be healthy to do it. Sucked burning that first half of outdoor season but didn’t really have too much choice.”
To prepare for the trials, Crouser set a target of 21 meters in practice, knowing that would be enough to reach the finals. He was right. Now, he’s hoping to secure his spot in Paris with a top-three finish and use the next six weeks to fully heal.
“You’re dealing with a lot of self-doubt,” Crouser said. “I mean, the elbow stuff for a shot-putter can be really difficult. I would try and throw, wouldn’t be able to and then I had to spend a week rehabbing it to try and throw again. … It’s definitely been a challenge. But I finally feel like I’m on the right track.”
