INDIANAPOLIS — Stretching the boundaries of the men's shot put and breaking his own world record*, Ryan Crouser (Farmington, Arkansas/USATF Arkansas) earned recognition as the 20th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2023. Crouser, the reigning Olympic and world champion and world record holder indoors and outdoors, had the best series in men's shot put history Saturday at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, topped by a massive 23.56m/77-3.75 in round four to add 19cm to his own world record and become the first man to surpass 77-feet. Sporting a newly-adapted technique, the 30-year-old Oregon native opened his series with a 23.23m/76-2.75 and then improved to 23.31m/76-5.75. Two attempts later he almost hit the retaining wall at the end of the landing sector and his mark was confirmed as the best in history. Five of Crouser's six throws went beyond 75-feet, and his series averaged 23.12m/75-10.25, a distance that was the world record for more than 30 years before Crouser broke it in 2021 at the Olympic Trials. Other top performances from last week:
Anna Hall scored 6,988 points to win the Götzis women's heptathlon in Austria. Her score makes her the No. 2 all-time American performer and moves her to No. 5 on the all-time world performer list.
Cordell Tinch of Pittsburg State won the men's 110H (12.87w/13.21 in heats), high jump (2.21m/7-3) and long jump (8.16m/26-9.25) to lead his school to the team title at the NCAA Division II Championships.
Maggie Ewen threw a world-leading 20.45m/67-1.25 to win the women's shot at the USATF LA GP. Her throw was the fifth-farthest ever by an American and moved her to No. 3 on the all-time U.S. performer list.
Lex Young (Newbury Park, California) set a national high school record in the men's 5,000m with a 13:34.96 at the USATF Distance Classic.
Mia Brahe-Pedersen (Lake Oswego, Oregon) became the No. 5 all-time U.S. U20 performer in the women's 100m with a 11.00 at the Oregon high school state meet. Her time puts her at No. 3 on the all-time high school performer list.
*Subject to verification by the USATF Records Committee Now in its 22nd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2023 Winners: January 17, Emily Sisson; January 24, Ednah Kurgat; January 31, Woody Kincaid; February 7, Grant Holloway; February 14, Yared Nuguse; February 21, Anna Hall; February 28, Talitha Diggs; March 7, Alicia Monson; March 14, Jasmine Moore; March 21, Keyzelle Thomas; March 28, Camille Herron; April 4, Hillary Bor; April 11, Valarie Allman; April 18, Britton Wilson; April 25, Brooke Andersen; May 2, Gabby Thomas; May 9, Connor Burns; May 16, Britton Wilson; May 23, Brooke Andersen; May 30, Ryan Crouser. We welcome your nominations! To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org. Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.