American Ryan Crouser has smashed the long-standing men's shot put world record.
Photo: AFP
The reigning Olympic champion has recorded a 23.37 metre throw on the first night of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Crouser exceeded fellow American Randy Barnes' previous record of 23.12, which had stood for more than 30 years, electrifying the crowd inside Eugene, Oregon's, Hayward Field.
The 6-foot, 7-inch Crouser let out a roar as he rocketed the ball nearly out of the sector on his fourth throw and thrust his hands aloft in triumph, his spot in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics guaranteed.
The 28-year-old earlier qualified with a best throw of 22.92m before recording a further five throws in excess of 22 and a half metres in the final.
Joe Kovacs finished second with a best throw of 22.34, more than a metre behind Crouser.
New Zealand shot putter Tom Walsh has yet to clear 22 metres this year.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
Walsh will square-off with Crouser in Tokyo, but fellow Rio bronze medallist Eliza McCartney will not be joining him at next month's Olympics.
McCartney has failed to qualify for the Games at three specially-arranged pole vault competitions in Auckland.
She was unable to clear the qualifying mark of 4.70m at the third and final event on Saturday afternoon, failing at 4.50m.
Fellow pole vaulter Olivia McTaggert also failed at 4.50m.
McCartney has been plagued by Achilles problems since vaulting a personal best 4.94m in July 2018.
She cleared 4.80m to claim a surprise bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
- Reuters/RNZ