Ryan Crouser, Joe Kovacs go 1-2 for U.S. in men’s shot put

Gold: Ryan Crouser (United States)
Silver: Joe Kovacs (United States)
Bronze: Tomas Walsh (New Zealand)

Americans Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs claimed the top two spots in the Olympic men’s shot put competition Thursday night. 

Crouser threw 22.52m (73 feet, 10 ¾ inches) to break the Olympic record, which had stood since 1988. His cousin, Sam, also competed in Rio, representing the U.S. in the javelin.

Kovacs earned the silver medal with a mark of 21.78m (71-5½). He learned how to shot put from his mother, Joanna. His high school did not have a throwing circle, so his mother spray-painted a circle in the school parking lot.

New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh was the bronze medalist.

Earlier in Rio, Michelle Carter won the women’s shot put gold medal. She became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the event since 1960.