Ryan Crouser

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Ryan Crouser
Ryan Crouser Rio 2016.jpg
Crouser at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1992-12-18) December 18, 1992 (age 29)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight320 lb (145 kg)
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)Shot put
Discus throw
College teamTexas Longhorns
ClubNike
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)SP: 23.37 m Sport records icon WR.svg (2021)
DT: 63.90 m (2014)
JT: 61.16 m (2008)
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Shot put
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Shot put
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2019 Doha Shot put
World Youth Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Bressanone Shot put
Silver medal – second place 2009 Bressanone Discus throw

Ryan Crouser (born December 18, 1992) is an American shot putter and discus thrower. He is a two time Olympic gold medalist and Olympic record holder. Crouser is the current world record holder in the shot put, both indoor and outdoor. On June 18, 2021, at the U.S. Olympic Trials he threw 23.37 m (76 ft 8+14 in) on his fourth attempt to beat Randy Barnes's 31-year-old record of 23.12 m by almost 10 inches (25 cm).[1] On January 24, 2021, he threw 22.82 m (74 ft 10+12 in) to set a new world indoor shotput record in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. The previous world indoor record of 22.66 m (74 ft 4 in) was set by Barnes in 1989.[2] Crouser also had a 22.70 m (74 ft 5+12 in) throw in the fourth round that broke the 32-year-old world record.[3]

Crouser is the reigning consecutive two-time Olympic champion. He won the gold medal in the shot put at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, setting the Olympic Games record of 22.52 m (73 ft 10+12 in).[4] He defended that Olympic title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, improving the Olympic record to 23.30 m (76 ft 5+14 in). All six of his throws in the competition broke his previous 2016 Olympic Record.[5]

Crouser was named Track & Field News 2021 World Male Athlete of the Year.[6] He was awarded USA Track & Field's highest accolade, the Jesse Owens Award,[7] and was also a finalist for 2021 Male Track and Field World Athlete of the Year [8] by World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field. In addition to his Indoor World, Outdoor World, and Olympic record throws, other 2021 performances include the three farthest throws in history, 9 of the top 10 marks in 2021, remaining undefeated (since 2019),[9] and winning the Diamond League while setting a new Diamond League Record.[10] By the end of the 2021 season, Crouser had thrown 22 m (72 ft 2 in) or more 163 times, the most in history, and has achieved more than a third of all the 22 meter throws in history.[11]

At the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Crouser won the silver medal in "the greatest – and closest – shot put competition ever"[12] that "Redefines Men's Shot Put[13]" according to World Athletics (formerly IAAF). He is a four-time USA national outdoor shot put champion 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021 (no USA National Outdoor Competition was held in 2020). He is a two-time USA National Indoor Shot Put Champion 2019, 2020. He is a four-time NCAA champion in the shot put indoors and outdoors for the University of Texas. He had previously won the gold medal in the boys' shot put at the 2009 World Youth Championships.

Early life and youth sports[]

Crouser was born in Portland, Oregon[14] on December 18, 1992, and raised in Boring.[15][16] He belongs to a family of throwers; his father, Mitch Crouser, was an alternate on the 1984 Olympic discus team, his uncle Brian Crouser qualified for two Olympic teams in the javelin, his other uncle Dean Crouser was a good shot putter and discus thrower, and his cousins Sam and Haley are both javelin throwers.[17] He took up track and field in fifth grade, but was initially not as good as his cousin Sam; he made his breakthrough in eighth and ninth grade.[17]

In 2009, his sophomore year at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Oregon, Crouser set a national sophomore record with the 3.58 lb (1.62 kg) high school discus, throwing 202 ft 6 in (61.72 m); the mark was also the Oregon high school state record until Sam Crouser broke it the following year.[17][18] Crouser won both the 5 kg shot and the 1.5 kg discus at the 2009 national youth championships, and was selected for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy in both events.[17] In Bressanone he took gold in the shot put, breaking the championship record with a 21.56 m (70 ft 9 in) put in the fifth round; in the discus he won silver.[19]

Crouser's 2010 season was hampered by a foot injury.[20] He returned to top shape in 2011, breaking the national high school indoor record in the 12 lb (5.44 kg) shot put with 77 ft 2+34 in (23.54 m); the mark placed him second behind Mike Carter's outdoor record on the all-time national high school list.[20][21] Outdoors, he broke the national high school record in the discus, throwing 237 ft 6 in (72.40 m) to add one foot to Mason Finley's record from 2009.[21] Crouser graduated from Barlow High after the 2011 season; he chose to go to the University of Texas instead of the family's traditional choice of the University of Oregon.[20]

Athletics career[]

Collegiate career[]

As a collegiate freshman with the Texas Longhorns, Crouser placed fifth in the shot at the 2012 NCAA indoor championships and fourth in the discus at the outdoor championships; he injured his hand at the NCAA indoor meet, and the injury also affected his outdoor season.[22][23]

Crouser suffered from infections during the next off-season, and his weight dropped heavily; he redshirted the 2013 indoor season to regain full health.[23] He returned to action for the outdoor season, throwing a personal best 21.09 m (69 ft 2+14 in) at the Big 12 conference championships; he won his first NCAA championship title in the shot put that summer with 20.31 m (66 ft 7+34 in), but only placed eighth in the discus.[22][24] Crouser, who had been successful academically, began to struggle somewhat with the heavy workload during his second year at Texas; he had originally planned to major in engineering, but switched to economics after that year.[25]

Crouser won his first NCAA indoor shot put title in 2014, throwing 21.21 m (69 ft 7 in) and winning by almost four feet.[22] He was briefly the outdoor world leader after improving his personal best to 21.27 m (69 ft 9+12 in) at the Texas Relays on March 28.[22] At the Big 12 outdoor championships he set personal bests and new meeting records in both the shot and the discus, with throws of 21.39 m (70 ft 2+12 in) and 63.90 m (209 ft 9 in) respectively; it was the first time he broke 70 feet with the 16 lb (7.26 kg) shot.[25] Crouser won his second consecutive shot put title at the 2014 NCAA outdoor championships, with a heave of 21.12 m (69 ft 3+12 in), but injured his foot in the process; he had also qualified for the final in the discus, but was forced to scratch from that event.[26]

In 2015 Crouser placed second behind Stipe Žunić at the NCAA indoor championships, reaching 20.93 m (68 ft 8 in) on his best attempt.[22] His chances of winning a third consecutive NCAA outdoor title were spoiled as he re-aggravated an old thumb injury at the championships; he placed fifth in both the shot and the discus.[27]

Due to red-shirting the 2013 indoor season, Crouser had one more winter of collegiate eligibility left; as a fifth-year senior, he threw a personal best 21.73 m (71 ft 3+12 in) at the 2016 Big 12 indoor championships and won his second collegiate indoor title with a put of 21.28 m (69 ft 9+34 in).[22][28] Crouser's Big 12 mark equaled Ryan Whiting's collegiate indoor record from 2008; he ranked second behind New Zealand's Tom Walsh on the 2016 world indoor list.[22][29]

Representing University of Texas at Austin
College championship Event Distance Place
2016 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.28 m (69 ft 9+34 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2016 Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.73 m (71 ft 3+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 19.99 m (65 ft 7 in) 5th
Discus 60.18 m (197 ft 5+14 in) 5th
2015 Big 12 Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 20.52 m (67 ft 3+34 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 58.92 m (193 ft 3+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2015 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 20.93 m (68 ft 8 in) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2015 Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.14 m (69 ft 4+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.12 m (69 ft 3+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2014 Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.39 m (70 ft 2 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 63.90 m (209 ft 7+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2014 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.21 m (69 ft 7 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2014 Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 20.63 m (67 ft 8 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 20.31 m (66 ft 7+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 59.21 m (194 ft 3 in) 8th
2013 Big 12 Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 21.09 m (69 ft 2+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 55.42 m (181 ft 9+34 in) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 18.50 m (60 ft 8+14 in) 16th
Discus 59.77 m (196 ft 1 in) 4th
2012 Big 12 Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 17.78 m (58 ft 4 in) 7th
Discus 56.01 m (183 ft 9 in) 5th
2012 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 19.94 m (65 ft 5 in) 5th
2012 Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 19.90 m (65 ft 3+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)

Professional career[]

Crouser completed a two-year master's degree in finance in 2016.[30] He then hired Paul Doyle as his agent.[31] Crouser improved his personal best in the shot to 21.85 m (71 ft 8+14 in) shortly before the 2016 United States Olympic Trials. This throw stood second in the U.S on the yearly list, eleven inches behind reigning World Champion Joe Kovacs.[31] At the Olympic Trials, on his second throw of the finals, Crouser uncorked a 22.11 m (72 ft 6+14 in) to not only win in an upset over Kovacs, but to become the number 18 thrower in history. A few weeks later, at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Crouser improved his personal best and standing on the all-time list three times. Already leading the competition, he threw a massive personal best 22.52 m (73 ft 10+12 in) in the fifth round to break the Olympic Record and secure the tenth best men's shot put performance of all time.

At the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Crouser won the silver medal in "the greatest – and closest – shot put competition ever[32]" that "Redefines Men's Shot Put[33]" according to World Athletics (formerly IAAF). Crouser is a two time USA Indoor National Shot Put Champion (2019, 2020) and four time USA National Outdoor Shot Put Champion (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020/21). No USA National Outdoor meet was held in 2020, and the Olympic Trials in 2021 served as the national championships.

In 2020, Crouser threw 22.60m indoors to make him the second best performer in world indoor history, only 6 cm behind Randy Barnes' record of 22.66m. Crouser's personal best of 22.91 m (75 ft 1+34 in) was thrown on July 2020 in the Atlanta, Georgia suburb of Marietta,[34] tying him as third best performer of all time. Minutes before his best, he also threw 22.73m, which has only been bettered by seven other men. Video on YouTube. In November 2020, he was named a Finalist for Male Track and Field World Athlete of the Year[35] by World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field. In addition to his world leading 22.91m throw to place him third on the world all time list,[35] in 2020 Crouser was undefeated in all 10 meetings, had 36 throws of 22m/72-2.5 or better, with 14 of those farther than 22.56m/74-0, the highest total ever in a single year.[36] By the end of the 2020 season, Crouser had thrown 22m/72-2.5 or more 104 times in his career, the most in history.[37]

On his first throw of 2021, Crouser threw 22.82 m (74 ft 10+12 in) to set a new World Indoor Shot Put Record[38] in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The previous world indoor record of 22.66 m (74 ft 4 in) was set by Randy Barnes in 1989.[2] Crouser also had a 22.70 m (74 ft 5+12 in) throw in the fourth round that also broke the 32 year old world record.[3] This 22.82 m (74 ft 10+12 in) indoor world record is also the new USA Indoor Shot Put Record.

At the 2020 United States Olympic Trials, on June 18, 2021, Crouser threw 23.37m (76 ft 8+14 in) to set a new World Shot Put Record.[39] The previous world record of 23.12 m (75 ft 10 in) was set by Randy Barnes in 1990.[40] "With his opening effort in the qualification round, he sent his shot out to 22.92m – the fifth best throw in history and the second-best mark of his career. Little more than six hours later, Crouser was back in action for the final. He opened with 22.61m to take an early lead, then followed it with 22.55m and 22.73m. By the half-way stage of the competition, two-time world champion Joe Kovacs was the only other man to have thrown beyond 22 metres (22.06m). The event came to life at the end of the fourth round. As soon as he launched the shot, and before it had landed well beyond the 23-metre line, Crouser punched the air with both fists, knowing he had released a huge throw. Just moments later, it was confirmed on the scoreboard: 23.37m, adding 25 centimetres to the world record set by Randy Barnes back in 1990, two years before Crouser was born".[41] The 23.37m (76 ft 8+14 in) World Record was ratified on August 11, 2021.[42] This is also the new American outdoor shot put record.

On August 5, 2021, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Crouser became a two-time Olympic champion. After winning the gold medal in the shot put at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and setting the Olympic Games record of 22.52 m (73 ft 10+12 in),[4] he defended his Olympic title and improved the Olympic record to 23.30 m (76 ft 5+14 in). All six of Crouser's throws in the competition broke his previous 2016 Olympic Record.[5]

Crouser was named Track & Field News 2021 World Male Athlete of the Year.[6] He was awarded USA Track & Field's highest accolade, the Jesse Owens Award,[7] and was also a finalist for 2021 Male Track and Field World Athlete of the Year [8] by World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field. In addition to his Indoor World, Outdoor World, and Olympic record throws, other 2021 performances include the three farthest throws in history, 9 of the top 10 marks in 2021, remaining undefeated (since 2019),[9] and winning the Diamond League while setting a new Diamond League Record.[10] By the end of the 2021 season, Crouser had thrown 22 m (72 ft 2 in) or more 163 times, the most in history, and has achieved more than a third of all the 22 meter throws in history.[11]

Representing  United States
2020 Summer Olympics Shot Put 23.30 m (76 ft 5+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2019 World Championships in Athletics Shot Put 22.90 m (75 ft 1+12 in) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2018 IAAF Continental Cup Shot Put 21.63 m (70 ft 11+12 in) 5th
2017 World Championships in Athletics Shot Put 21.20 m (69 ft 6+12 in) 6th
2016 Summer Olympics Shot Put 22.52 m (73 ft 10+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2009 World Youth Championships in Athletics Shot Put 21.56 m (70 ft 8+34 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 61.64 m (202 ft 2+34 in) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Representing Nike
2020 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) Shot Put 23.37 m (76 ft 814 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2020 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 22.60 m (74 ft 134 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2019 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 22.62 m (74 ft 212 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2019 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 22.22 m (72 ft 1034 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2018 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 20.99 m (68 ft 10+14 in) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Shot Put 22.65 m (74 ft 3+12 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) Shot Put 22.11 m (72 ft 6+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2009 World Youth Track and Field Trials[43] Shot Put 21.55 m (70 ft 8+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 63.33 m (207 ft 9+14 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships[44][45] Shot Put 17.48 m (57 ft 4 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Discus 54.94 m (180 ft 2+34 in) 1st place, gold medalist(s)

Coaching[]

In December 2019, Crouser moved from the United States Olympic Training Center in San Diego to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to coach the University of Arkansas track and field teams.[46]

References[]

  1. ^ "Electrifying kickoff to U.S. Olympic trials, world record shattered". Reuters. June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Ryan Crouser world indoor record shot put American Track League | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Lindstrom, Sieg (January 25, 2021). "Ryan Crouser Crushes World Shot Put Record". Track & Field News. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "World Athletics |". worldathletics.org. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Men's shot put official results (Tokyo 2020)". olympics.com. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hollobaugh, Jeff. "2021 Men's Athlete Of The Year — Ryan Crouser". Track & Field News. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "USA Track & Field | USATF End of Year Awards Announced". usatf.org. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Finalists announced for Male World Athlete of the Year 2021 | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "2021 review: throws | NEWS | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Street celebrations for Lasitskene and Crouser as first Diamond League champions are crowned | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "2021 review: throws | NEWS | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  12. ^ "Report: men's shot put - IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019| News | iaaf.org". www.iaaf.org. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  13. ^ "Doha final redefines mens' shot put| News | iaaf.org". www.iaaf.org. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "Oregon native wins shot put gold, sets record". KATU. Portland, Oregon. Associated Press. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019.
  15. ^ "Ryan Crouser – 2012 Men's Track and Field". TexasSports.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  16. ^ Mesh, Aaron (August 23, 2016). "Here's How Far Oregon Olympian Ryan Crouser Threw a Shot Put". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019.
  17. ^ a b c d Krider, Dave (May 5, 2010). "New generation continues Crouser family throwing tradition". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  18. ^ Pfeifer, Jack (June 17, 2009). "Ryan Crouser, First Oregon Prep Discus Over 200 feet at Mac Wilkins All-Comers Meet in Portland, Or". MileSplit. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  19. ^ Oddi, Vicky (July 11, 2009). "Crouser wins shot with championship record at World Youths". MileSplit. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  20. ^ a b c Mauldin, Tom (February 23, 2011). "With 1 record down, Ryan Crouser shifts to others". MaxPreps.com.
  21. ^ a b Shepard, Jack. "High School All-Time Top 10s – Men". Track & Field News. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Ryan Crouser at Tilastopaja (registration required)
  23. ^ a b "Ryan Crouser strives through injuries to earn Texas Relays win". The Daily Texan. April 1, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  24. ^ Eggers, Kerry (June 7, 2013). "Dean Crouser on nephew Ryan: World record in 4–5 years?". Portland Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  25. ^ a b Eggers, Kerry (May 27, 2014). "Is Ryan Crouser ready to take a shot at a collegiate record?". Portland Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  26. ^ Goe, Ken (June 11, 2014). "Ryan Crouser of Texas wins the shot, but it's a painful day for the former Barlow star". OregonLive. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  27. ^ Greif, Andrew (June 10, 2015). "Cousins Ryan and Sam Crouser share bittersweet day competing side-by-side at NCAA championships". OregonLive. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  28. ^ Texas TFRRS | Ryan Crouser Direct Athletics. August 20, 2016.
  29. ^ Mills, Steven (February 28, 2016). "Maslak prepares for Portland with Czech 200m title – indoor round-up". International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  30. ^ NOW OLYMPIC CHAMPION CROUSER’S ONLY FULL-TIME JOB IAAF. January 8, 2017.
  31. ^ a b Eggers, Kerry (June 21, 2016). "Ryan Crouser ready for shot at Rio Olympics". Portland Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  32. ^ "Report: men's shot put - IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019| News | iaaf.org". www.iaaf.org. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  33. ^ "Doha final redefines mens' shot put| News | iaaf.org". www.iaaf.org. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  34. ^ "American Track League Meet #2 2020 - Complete Results (Raw)".
  35. ^ a b "Finalists announced for Male World Athlete of the Year 2020 | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  36. ^ "USA Track & Field | News & Notes - Tuesday, November 24, 2020". usatf.org. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  37. ^ "DyeStat.com - News - Ryan Crouser Reaches Milestone With 100th Career 22-Meter Shot Put in Serbia". www.runnerspace.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  38. ^ "Ratified: world records for Zango, Crouser, Zhoya and Knighton | PRESS-RELEASES | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  39. ^ "Ratified: world records for Crouser, McLaughlin, Knighton and Kosonen | PRESS-RELEASES | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  40. ^ "Results". results.usatf.org. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  41. ^ "Crouser smashes world shot put record with 23.37m in Eugene | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  42. ^ "Ratified: world records for Crouser, McLaughlin, Knighton and Kosonen | PRESS-RELEASES | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  43. ^ 2009 World Youth Track and Field Trials Results USATF
  44. ^ 2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships Shot Put Results USATF
  45. ^ 2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships Discus Results USATF
  46. ^ Former Olympian Crouser Joins Men’s Track & Field University of Arkansas Razorbacks KYLE PARKINSON

External links[]

Records
Preceded by
United States Randy Barnes
Men's Shot Put Indoor World Record Holder
January 24, 2021 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by
United States Randy Barnes
Men's Shot Put World Record Holder
June 18, 2021 – present
Incumbent
Awards
Preceded by Track & Field News High School Boys Athlete of the Year
2011
Succeeded by
Tyreek Hill
Retrieved from ""