Although he made the US Olympic team in 2016, Rudy truly captured the spotlight when he set a US hammer record of 82.71m/271-4 in 2021, taking the victory at that year’s US Olympic Trials. At the Tokyo Games, he easily advanced to the final, logging the second farthest qualifying mark; but, the final was a different affair. His best throw came on his first attempt – 77.08m/252-11, well below his US best of a few weeks prior – and he fouled three of his other attempts, ultimately placing seventh.
At the 2022 world championships, Rudy again made the final, this time placing sixth (78.99m/259-2). One year later, although he was ranked #2 in the world going into the competition, he could not replicate that form in the heat of battle, ultimately placing eighth (76.04m/249-6).
Paris Result:
6th place, 77.92m/255-7.