America's Ryan Crouser wins men's shot put on record-breaking night in Rio

American Ryan Crouser has won gold in the men's shot put with an Olympic record throw of 22.52 metres in Rio. The 23-year-old recorded the three longest throws in the world this year to claim the coveted crown.

Crouser, a former World Youth Championships winner, set a new Olympics qualifying record earlier in the day with a throw of 21.59 metres and always appeared to be most likely victor.

The silver medal went to Crouser's US teammate Joe Kovacs, the defending world champion, who recorded a throw of 21.78 meters. Meanwhile, the bronze medal went to Tomas Walsh of New Zealand, who achieved a distance of 21.36 metres.

Crouser's gold medal triumph in Rio marks a remarkably quick rise for the Portland-born athlete, who announced himself on the world stage with an upset win over Kovacs at the US team trials in July. Crouser recorded a throw of 22.11 metres last month and is now firmly established as the man to beat in the event.