World Athletics Championships 2023: Women's Shot Put - Chase Ealey Defends Her Title; Gong Lijiao Records Her 8th Straight Championships Medal

With her season-best performance, USA athlete Chase Ealey defends her title in the women’s shot put at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

World Athletics Championships 2023: Women’s Shot Put – Chase Ealey defended her title strongly

On the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships 2023 (August 26), Chase Ealey dominated the final event with her first throw of 20.35 metres. Although it wasn’t breached by anyone, as her first throw was well enough to defend the crown, Ealey bettered her performance with the fifth throw that reached 20.43m. Her fourth throw of that final event also managed the 20.04m mark. 

In the 2022 edition, Ealey became the first USA female to win the shot put gold medal at the World Athletics Championships history. Now, she retained her title as USA once again celebrated with the gold medal in the women’s shot put event.

Canadian Sarah Mitton, the Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist, clinched the silver medal with her season-best performance of 20.08m in the fifth round.

World Athletics Championships 2023: Women’s Shot Put – Gong Lijiao claimed her eighth successive World Championships medal

Chinese shot putter Gong Lijiao clinched her eighth consecutive medal at the World Athletics Championships history. By managing the 19.69m, she claimed her fourth bronze medal at the World Championships (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2023). Although Portuguese Auriol Dongmo also had the best throw of 19.67m, Gong earned the bronze medal on countback.

However, since 2015, it was the first time Gong failed to finish among the top two at the World Athletics Championships (gold in 2017 and 2019; silver in 2015 and 2022). She became the 10th female to record at least eight World Athletics Championships medals.

The Chinese athlete Gong Lijiao is also the reigning Summer Olympics champion (Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medallist).

The 2022 edition bronze medallist, Dutch Jessica Schilder, finished eighth place with her best throw of the night 19.26m.

World Athletics Championships 2023: Women’s Shot Put (Final Status/Top 10)

(NOTE: SB = Season Best; PB = Personal Best)

What did Chase Ealey say?

After defending her title, Ealey said, “It’s even more satisfying than last year because this year I’ve struggled to get my technique sorted and get everything right. So for it to come together at the right time is perfect.”