Ryan Crouser celebrates after setting a world record during the finals of men's shot put at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, June 18, 2021. (CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP)

WASHINGTON - Olympic champion Ryan Crouser broke the 31-year-old men's shot put world record on Friday, as he took victory at the US Olympic Trials event in Eugene.

The 29-year-old Crouser, who won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, achieved his winning mark of 23.37m in the fourth round, adding 25 centimeters to the world record set by compatriot Randy Barnes back in 1990.

Reigning world champion Joe Kovacs finished second with 22.34m, followed by Payton Otterdahl with a personal best of 21.92m.

Crouser's previous career-best mark was 23.01m, which he achieved last month in Tucson, US. He also set the shot put world indoor record of 22.82m earlier this year, breaking the previous record of 22.66m also set by Barnes in 1989.

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