If you’ve ever watched a shot putter launch a four-kilogram iron ball into the sky, you know it's basically controlled chaos. It’s physics meets fury. For Chase Jackson, formerly known to the track world as Chase Ealey, that chaos has become a masterclass in American dominance.
Honestly, the last couple of years have been a total whirlwind for her. We’re talking about a woman who didn't even make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team—a heartbreak that would've broken most athletes—only to come back and become the first American woman to ever win a world title in the event. Twice.
But here is the thing: sports fans are fickle. They see the "17th place" finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics and assume the story is over. It’s not. Not even close. In fact, since that rainy day in Paris where she didn't make the final, Jackson has been on a tear that suggests she is actually getting better as she enters the peak of her career.
The Record-Breaking Year You Might Have Missed
People love to talk about the "big" stages, but the real story of chase jackson shot put dominance is written in the dirt of smaller meets. Take June 28, 2025, for example. While most of the world was just starting to think about the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, Jackson was in Rathdrum, Idaho, at the Iron Wood Throws Classic.
She didn't just win. She obliterated her own national record.
With a massive heave of 20.95 meters (68 feet, 8.75 inches), she solidified her spot as the undisputed queen of the ring. That mark is just one tiny centimeter away from the North American record set back in 1992. It’s the kind of distance that makes other throwers look like they’re playing a different sport.
What’s wild is her consistency. She didn't just hit one fluke throw. In 2025 alone, Jackson held the top four throws in the entire world. She’s basically competing against herself at this point.
What Happened in Tokyo?
The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo were supposed to be the "three-peat." Jackson went in as the two-time defending champion, having taken gold in Eugene (2022) and Budapest (2023).
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It was a nail-biter.
Jackson led for much of the competition, looking like she had the gold in the bag. But track and field is cruel. In the final round, Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands uncorked a 20.29m throw to snatch the lead. Jackson responded with a gritty 20.21 meters, which was enough to jump back onto the podium for silver, but the three-peat was denied.
Silver feels like a loss when you're used to gold, but looking at the stats, it’s still an incredible achievement. She’s now medaled at four consecutive major outdoor and indoor championships. That kind of longevity in a high-impact event like shot put is almost unheard of.
The "Chase Ealey" to "Chase Jackson" Shift
You might be confused seeing different names in the record books. It’s the same powerhouse. She married Mitchell Jackson in early 2024 and took his name, officially transitioning from Ealey to Jackson on the international circuit.
Changing your name mid-career is usually a branding nightmare, but when you’re throwing 20-meter bombs, people figure out who you are pretty quickly.
Why She Uses the "Glide" vs. "Spin"
Most modern shot putters use the rotational (spin) technique. It’s flashier and generates more centrifugal force. Jackson, however, is a rare breed who has mastered the glide.
It’s an older school approach—starting at the back of the circle and exploding forward in a linear path—but she makes it look modern. Her height (5'10") and raw explosive power, developed during her days as a standout sprinter in New Mexico, give her a mechanical advantage that most gliders lack.
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The Training Evolution
Since 2022, Jackson has been coached by Paul Wilson. The move to Great Britain for training was a huge gamble that paid off. It changed her rhythm. It changed her mental approach. She’s often talked about how the move helped her escape the pressure cooker of the US training scene, allowing her to focus purely on the technical nuances of the throw.
Addressing the Olympic "Paris Problem"
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Paris 2024.
Entering the Olympics as the heavy favorite and failing to make the final is a nightmare scenario. Jackson threw 17.60m in the qualification round, a distance she could probably hit in her sleep on a normal day. It was a shock to the system.
But here is why expert analysts aren't worried:
- The Weather: The conditions in Paris were notoriously slick, which is a "glide" thrower's worst enemy.
- The Response: Most athletes would have tucked tail and ended their season. Jackson did the opposite. Two weeks later, she threw 20.64m in Lausanne.
That Lausanne throw would have easily won the Olympic gold medal. That tells you everything you need to know about her "true" level versus her "Olympic" result. She didn't lose her talent; she just had a bad morning at the office.
The Road to 21 Meters
The holy grail for women’s shot put is the 21-meter mark. Only a handful of women in history have ever touched it, and most of those marks were set in the 1980s.
Jackson is currently the closest person on the planet to that barrier. Her 20.95m personal best proves she has the ceiling.
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What's actually scary for her rivals is her quote after that record-breaking throw: "I’ve got more in the tank."
When the world number one says she’s holding back, you believe her. She has spent the early part of 2026 focusing on "vertical lift"—the angle at which the shot leaves her hand. If she can add even two degrees of optimal launch angle to her current power, 21 meters isn't just possible; it’s inevitable.
Practical Takeaways: What We Can Learn from Chase
If you're an aspiring athlete or just a fan of the sport, Jackson's career is a blueprint for resilience.
- Don't Let One Bad Day Define You: The jump from 17th in Paris to a National Record in Idaho is proof that your "floor" doesn't dictate your "ceiling."
- Technique Over Trend: Everyone is spinning, but Jackson stuck with the glide because it fit her body and her background. Play to your strengths, even if they aren't "trendy."
- Keep the Stats in Perspective: Medals are great for the mantle, but world rankings and consistent distances are what define a "great" career.
As we look toward the 2026 season, the question isn't whether Jackson will win—it's how far the record will go. She has ninth U.S. titles under her belt and a ranking that hasn't budged from the top spot in months.
If you want to keep track of her progress, watch the Diamond League circuit this summer. The "Brussels Diamond League" is usually where she peaks, and given her current trajectory, we might be seeing a new world lead before the leaves turn brown.
Next Steps for Fans: Keep an eye on the World Indoor Championships results. Jackson has been using the indoor season to test a more aggressive "entry" into the circle. If she nails that transition, the outdoor season is going to be historic. You should also check out the official World Athletics profile for her latest verified distances, as she's currently competing in several high-performance "throws-only" meets that don't always get mainstream TV coverage.