Rudy Winkler, the American record holder in the men's hammer throw at 271-4 (82.71m) and a three-time U.S. champion representing Tracksmith and New York Athletic Club, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing July 8 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Winkler, 28, is looking to capture the title following a second-place finish last year, adding to championships won in 2016, 2018 and 2021. He is ranked No. 2 in the world this year at 265-4 (80.88m), which he achieved May 20 at the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, and is among the top 20 all-time global competitors. Winkler reflects on a recent trip to Europe and competing in Poland, France and Norway, and how valuable those experiences were not only in preparation for the U.S. final, but also for the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Aug. 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary. He revisits how meaningful it was to triumph against world leader Wojciech Nowicki on June 6 in Bydgoszcz, Winkler's first career head-to-head victory against the 2021 Olympic gold medalist, especially after being edged by one centimeter by Nowicki in their competition May 26 as part of the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix at UCLA's Drake Stadium. Winkler examines how significant it was to surpass 77 meters in all four European competitions, despite few opportunities to train and while battling the fatigue of traveling. He also explains how encouraging it was to throw 258-2 (78.70m) and win in less-than-favorable conditions June 24 at the USATF NYC Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in New York. Winkler analyzes the men's and women's hammer throw competitions June 7-8 at the NCAA Division 1 Championships in Austin, Texas, and how special it was to see a pair of Harvard competitors in British athlete Kenneth Ikeji and Australian standout Stephanie Ratcliffe win both titles, especially with Winkler's history representing Cornell. He also speaks about the ambition and aspiration to have the hammer throw competitions at Hayward Field all be contested inside the stadium after his previous experiences at last year's World Championships, along with the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. Winkler examines the depth of the American men's hammer throw and how they are inspired by the success of their U.S. female counterparts in pursuit of closing the gap on the rest of the world in the coming years. He also shares his evolution with becoming an elite Yo-Yo thrower, and his excitement for mastering new tricks, in addition to his engagement to fiancée Olivia, and how his mental health and support system have been important factors in his success.