Ryan Crouser has made history as the first athlete to secure three consecutive gold medals in the shot put at the Olympics.
His remarkable performances in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris have provided Crouser with a unique physical advantage.
During a segment on TODAY, Crouser highlighted the noticeable size difference between his right and left hands.
His right hand, which he uses to throw the shot put, plays a crucial role in his success.
The former Texas athlete demonstrated the strength of his fingers, showing that they remain completely extended when raised.
Ryan Crouser earned his third consecutive Olympic gold medal in shot put at the Paris Games.
Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 320 pounds, Crouser’s right hand is notably larger than that of most people.
‘It withstands a lot of stress,’ Crouser said about his hand. ‘If you push on the fingertips, they don’t budge. So when you throw a 16-pound shot put at nearly 40 miles per hour, your fingertips need to be strong.’
At just 31 years old, Crouser still has the opportunity to compete in another Olympics, possibly aiming for a fourth straight gold.
‘As an Olympian, retiring on home soil would be a dream come true,’ Crouser shared. ‘Going for my fourth gold would truly be a dream realized, so I’m hoping to stay in shape until then.’
If he competes at the Los Angeles Games when he turns 35, it would be twelve years since his first Olympic victory.
How his hands develop through four more years of training could determine if he maintains his Olympic shot put dominance.
