EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon native Ryan Crouser has shattered a world record on his way to clinching a spot on Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics.
The 31-year-old shot putter hit a mark of 76 feet, 8 1/4 inches in fourth throw in the finals at the Olympic Trials. He shattered the old record of 75 feet, 10 1/4 inches that was set by Randy Barnes in 1990.
When Crouser’s fourth try plunked into the dirt, the quarter-filled stadium sent out a collective gasp. About a half-minute passed while officials checked the distance. When it came up on the board, he was mobbed by his competitors over near the circle.
Crouser graduated from Sam Barlow High School in Gresham and won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Oregon Olympian Ryan Crouser
/