Shot Put Across Time

Randy Barnes of the United States threw the current world record throw for shot put. His distance was 23.12m (1990).

American Parry O'Brien first introduced the glide technique (1951).

Russian shotputter Aleksandr Baryshnikov first used the spin technique (1972).

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) recognizes the first official world record as 9.44 metres by J.M. Mann of the United States (1876).

The event was added to the women’s Olympic program, with a ball weight of 4kg (1948).

The first standard regulation shot put was introduced (7.26kg). This occured at the first Olympic Games (1896).

Natalya Lisovskaya of Russia threw the current women's world record for shot put, which was 22.63m (1987).

Robert Garrett was crowned the first modern Olympic shot put champion (1896).

Ryan Crouser of the United States threw the best shot put throw of the 21st Century, at a length of 22.65m (2017).