“Still Alive,” wrote Ryan Crouser on social media, signaling his fiery return after a brutal injury in 2024. The shot put king battled an ulnar nerve entrapment in March and tore a pectoral muscle in April. But despite all of the discomfort, he still struck gold at the Paris Olympics, cementing his status as the best in the world. That glory came at a cost; lingering elbow issues wiped out most of his 2025 season, sparing only the Tokyo World Championships. With a champion’s bye and a new weapon in his arsenal, Crouser promises nothing short of fireworks this year.

Crouser had vowed to return for the Tokyo World Championship this year, and he delivered. Numerous videos show him grinding through training sessions, smashing shoulder workouts, and lifting heavyweights, signaling his comeback. “This season has been a little more difficult than I expected. First of all, I did not play in any matches in order to do my best to make sure my body was in the best possible condition. My elbow injury has been lingering, so I cannot say I’m in perfect condition. As a result, I have had to significantly limit my throwing practice,” the athlete told the media.

His elbow injury might have derailed his train for now, but one must not forget what kind of athlete he is. He holds the world record at 23.56m and made history as the first shot putter to claim three consecutive Olympic golds (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024) and back-to-back World Championship titles (Budapest 2022, Eugene 2023). Despite his injury, he has revealed that he has done his best to stay in form, and guess what, he has a new weapon in his arsenal. “My technique is always changing. For better or worse, it’s never perfect. The moment you think your technique is perfect, it’s no longer perfect. I’m always improving and making changes. One of the secrets to my success is that I’ve always strived to be better than I am now,” said the Olympic champion.

Crouser has been perfecting a cutting-edge move dubbed the “Crouser Slide”—a game-changing technique that adds a dynamic step at the start of his turn. Well, considering he suffered dual injuries before the Paris Olympics, which continued into 2025, he now looks “in much better shape,” as he added, “My physical condition is gradually improving, and my mental state is more stable. I’m excited to be competing again, not scared, which is a very good thing. I’m proud of myself for overcoming adversity and coming back.”

Ryan Crouser is back to heavy lifting as he gears up for the Tokyo World Championships. Notably, this will mark his season opener and his second trip to Tokyo. Is he ready? Well, let’s hear it from him personally.

Ryan Crouser expresses his thoughts on opening his season in Tokyo

Ryan Crouser is set for a triumphant return to Tokyo, competing once again at the iconic National Stadium. Four years ago, this very arena witnessed him claim his second consecutive Olympic gold with a record-breaking throw of 23.30 m (76 ft 5¼ in). That victory came despite the heartache of losing his grandfather shortly before Crouser left for Tokyo. His Olympic gold was the tribute to his grandfather, the man who inspired his shot-put journey.

Reflecting on those memories, he said, “At the Tokyo Olympics, I was able to win by throwing a new Olympic record (23.30m). Tokyo is a special place, and I love the stadium. However, during the Tokyo Olympics, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was only able to go back and forth between the athletes’ village and the stadium. I love Japanese culture and history, and find them very interesting. So, this time I’m looking forward to seeing the city of Tokyo and experiencing its culture.”

When asked about his expectations for his third consecutive World Championship appearance, the three-time gold medalist stated that participation means everything for him right now. “I’m just happy to be able to play in the competition, and I’ll be happy if I can beat the season bests of the other athletes. To be honest, I’m not able to throw strongly using my elbow, so it’s difficult to set a record goal. However, it’s only natural that I can’t throw as far in practice as I did when I was younger. I have all the necessary elements.”

He further added, “For me, records are not the same as what I want. Rather than records, it’s more about technique and throwing aggressively. I haven’t been throwing aggressively recently, in particular.” The injury might have halted his progression, but Crouser is determined to make a comeback. He has been winning back-to-back gold medals at the World Championships, and he expects nothing less than a dominant performance.