Two Blood Clots Did Not Stop A Championship Record From Ryan Crouser

Strong men don’t cry. 

And evidently, strong men also do not give in … even when two blood clots form in their left leg. 

We’re talking, of course, about the American and World record-holder Ryan Crouser, who on Saturday night in Budapest, Hungary accomplished the unthinkable, winning his second straight world shot put title with a championship record throw of 23.51 meters inside the National Athletics Centre, despite the serious ailment. 

Crouser was just five meters off his world record of 23.56 from May of this year. It marked his third mark over 23 meters this year alone and sixth overall. 

The win followed his first World title in 2022 in Eugene and the Olympic title in 2021. 

He achieved the feat on his sixth and final throw of his series, culminating the first day of the World Championships inside the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, amid raucous applause. 

Crouser cruised through the morning session with a mark of 21.48 meters. 

Utilizing his new technique, the ‘Crouser slide,’ the Oregon native torqued around the circle and lifted off for his final throw of the day, the implement landing just beyond the championship record line. 

Crouser lifted both of his hands into the air and fell to his knees, a gasp of emotion taking over. 

“The last 20 days have been some of the most frustrating of my life,” Crouser wrote on social media on Friday. “Preparation for World Champs was excellent, until I woke up with pain in my calf that presented as a strain after a throwing session.

“Battled the pain for 10 days of training as best I could. With the lack of response to treatment my PT decided it best to Doppler scan the day before departing for Budapest. Scan showed two blood clots in the lower leg.” 

After garnering advice from his medical team, Crouser said he was given the OK to travel to Budapest. 

Battling the pain and emotional toll of the physical ailment, his preparation was evident. Crouser’s championship series included marks of 22.63m, 22.98 and 22.28m. 

Leonardo Fabbri secured second-place with a mark of 22.34m, while American Joe Kovacs was third in 22.12m.