Olympian Ryan Crouser Just Explained The Phenomenon Known As ‘Shot Put Hand,’ And I Had No Idea

Olympian Ryan Crouser Just Explained The Phenomenon Known As 'Shot Put Hand,' And I Had No Idea

As a lifelong sports enthusiast who’s been following the Olympics since I was old enough to understand what “gold medal” meant, let me tell you – this year’s Games were nothing short of spectacular. The sheer athletic prowess on display was beyond compare, and the ‘shot put hand’ phenomenon is just the tip of the iceberg!


Just like me, if you’re a gaming enthusiast, you’ve probably been feeling a void for the past fortnight ever since the Summer Olympics wrapped up. It was always a highlight on my 2024 TV calendar, an event that happens every four years and never disappoints. With the world’s elite athletes gathering in one spot, it doesn’t get more exhilarating. Even the Olympians themselves are star-struck watching each other perform at their peak. They’re all pushing their limits, proving that the impossible can be achieved. Yet, as Ryan Crouser, an Olympic Gold Medalist, demonstrated in a viral clip, such intense competition comes with its toll.

During his stay in Paris, U.S. Olympian Ryan Crouser conversed with Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin from the “Today Show”, following his gold medal victory in shot put. He enlightened the hosts about a peculiar occurrence called ‘Shot Put Hand,’ which I hadn’t previously known about, but now it seems so logical.

In a video on X (previously known as Twitter), a track and field athlete aligns his fists together. Remarkably, one hand appears significantly larger than the other – not due to any genetic trait, but rather from countless years of practicing shot put. Even Al Roker attempted to push his hand and fingers back, yet they showed little to no movement. This Olympian went on to educate the morning show hosts about why the shot put has this impact.

Sixteen pounds, going almost 40 miles per hour off the fingertips, you get strong fingertips.

Absolutely, your explanation is clear, and it’s not hard to understand why someone with such powerful fingers might develop them. Frankly, I can barely fathom the amount of muscle in fingers like that. It wouldn’t shock me if he could pick up a couch with just one hand, much like Mr. Incredible.

Despite his offhand manner, it’s clear he’s quite accustomed to this feat. Yet, for someone like me who isn’t an athlete, it’s genuinely astonishing. I highly recommend watching the entire video to truly appreciate it.

I require additional instances of the ‘shot put grip’ to study, and now I find myself curious about which other sports might cause unusual physical developments in their competitors.

As a dedicated sports enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary physiques of Olympic athletes – it’s something I’ve observed before, yet I realize now that I’ve been overlooking some crucial details. The 2028 Los Angeles Games are still years away, but I can’t wait for more intriguing scientific sports stories to unfold! One tale I’m particularly eager to unravel is the mysterious events of the women’s balance beam final – I hope we get some clarity on what really happened there.

As a die-hard fan, I’m strongly advocating for NBC to shell out a substantial sum to bring back Snoop Dogg as the unofficial mascot in 2024! His frequent appearances during the Paris Olympics were undeniably one of the highlights, and I can’t help but feel that we could all use more of his entertaining commentary on events like shot put.

Stories such as these and the fascinating exploration of sports science are what make the Olympics so captivating for me. The games offer a diverse range of heartwarming victories, remarkable physical abilities, and viral moments that resonate globally, like Simone Biles’ response following Team U.S.A.’s gold medal triumph. Until the 2028 Los Angeles games, I suppose I’ll have to content myself with revisiting highlights and discovering tidbits such as “shot put hand” details.

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2024-08-25 03:37