August 18, 2016. The date when Ryan Crouser announced his arrival in the track and field world. The Oregon native covered a distance of 22.52m, winning America’s first shot put gold in the Olympics since 2004. Five years later, he bettered his own numbers and won his second gold medal in the biggest sporting extravaganza. But the man who holds seven of the top 10 shot put throws faced unforeseen challenges before getting back on track to his third Olympic glory.

On March 1, during the Glasgow’s World Athletics Indoor Championships, Crouser injured his ulnar nerve. On April 11, he injured his pectoral muscle in a training session. Challenges galore! That’s what he faced just months before the US Olympic trials. The 31-year-old was forced to undergo a procedure called ultrasound-guided nerve hydro dissection to treat his elbow. But the World’s best shot putter drew inspiration from a family member and former Olympian to take care of his body before the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Ryan Crouser doesn’t back down in the face of adversities

Having failed to cross even the 19m mark during his recovery period, Crouser could do nothing but think of his two-time Olympic uncle, Brian Crouser. “He can’t get past 45 degrees,” the 31-year-old said, according to The Washington Post, on his uncle’s struggle due to multiple elbow injuries. While Brian is 61 now, he lacks the potency to use his arm as per his will and his nephew doesn’t want to make the same mistakes.

“So I kind of have first-hand experience seeing where I don’t want to end up,” added Ryan Crouser. He knew the dire consequences of overlooking an injury. So, despite having a chance to make a comeback at the Prefontaine Classic in May 2024, he pulled out of the event at the last moment.

However, the Oregon native had to watch his rival and compatriot Joe Kovacs throw a massive 23.13m at Hayward Field. It was frustrating for him to see, especially, knowing that he had surpassed 23 meters numerous times in his career! But the repercussions he could have faced could have cut short his Olympic dream.

On June 23, Crouser threw 22.84m to top the US Olympic trials timings chart and earn his golden ticket to Paris. Two-time Olympic silver medalist Kovacs will join him in good stead in Team USA’s shot put team. While the latter will be eyeing his first gold at Stade de France, Crouser is a candidate for a heftier achievement!

Enroute to Paris: a chance at glory for Ryan Crouser

The Oregon native is tied with three others with the most Olympic golds in shot put. But if he makes it through the final of the shot put event on August 3, 2024, Crouser has his chance to become the first man in history to win three gold medals in the most prestigious quadrennial event. Ryan Crouser will face competition from compatriot Joe Kovacs and Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri – the two active athletes except the Oregon native to either cross or come close to the 23-meter mark.

Despite battling multiple injuries in the last few months, the 31-year-old is a walking example of a never say die attitude and the 6 foot 7 inch phenom will do right by his homeland. But can he overcome his odds and encrypt his name in history by winning his third Olympic gold? Comment down your thoughts!