# Shot put

The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" (throwing) a heavy spherical ball—the shot—as far as possible. For men, the sport has been a part of the modern Olympics since their revival (1896), and women's competition began in 1948. The shot put is part of the most common combined events, the decathlon, the women's and men's heptathlon and the women's pentathlon.

## History

Homer mentions competitions of rock throwing by soldiers during the siege of Troy but there is no record of any weights being thrown in Greek competitions. The first evidence for stone- or weight-throwing events were in the Scottish Highlands, and date back to approximately the first century. In the 16th century King Henry VIII was noted for his prowess in court competitions of weight and hammer throwing.
The first events resembling the modern shot put likely occurred in the Middle Ages when soldiers held competitions in which they hurled cannonballs. Shot put competitions were first recorded in early 19th century Scotland, and were a part of the British Amateur Championships beginning in 1866.
Competitors take their throw from inside a marked circle 2.135 metres (7 ft 0 in) in diameter, with a "toe board" or "stop board" 10 centimetres (4 in) high at the front of the circle. The distance thrown is measured from the inside of the circumference of the circle to the nearest mark made on the ground by the falling shot, with distances rounded down to the nearest centimetre under IAAF and WMA rules.

### Legal throws

The following rules (indoor and outdoor) must be adhered to for a legal throw:
* Upon calling the athlete's name, the athlete may choose any part of the throwing circle to enter inside. They have one minute to commence the throwing motion; otherwise it counts as a forfeit for the current round.
* The athlete may not wear gloves; IAAF rules permit the taping of individual fingers.
* The athlete must rest the shot close to the neck, and keep it tight to the neck throughout the motion.
* The shot must be released above the height of the shoulder, using only one hand.
* The athlete may touch the inside surface of the circle or toe board, but must not touch the top or outside of the circle or toe board, or the ground beyond the circle. Limbs may, however, extend over the lines of the circle in the air.
* The shot must land in the throwing sector, which is a circular sector of 34.92° centered on the throwing circle. The throwing sector has been narrowed multiple times over the years to improve safety, most recently in 2004 from 40°. The current throwing sector angle (34.92°) was chosen because it provides a sector whose bounds are easy to measure and lay out on a field (10 metres out from the center of the ring, 6 metres across).
* The athlete must leave the throwing circle from the back half.
Foul throws occur when an athlete:
* Does not pause within the circle before beginning the putting motion.
* Does not complete the putting movement initiated within thirty seconds of having their name called.
* Allows the shot to drop below their shoulder or outside the vertical plane of their shoulder during the put.
At any time if the shot loses contact with the neck then it is technically an illegal put.
* During the putting motion, touches with any part of the body (including shoes):
** the top or ends of the toe board
** the top of the iron ring
** anywhere outside the circle.
* Puts a shot which either falls outside the throwing sector or touches a sector line on the initial impact.
* Leaves the circle before the shot has landed.
* Does not leave from the rear half of the circle.

### Regulation misconceptions

The following are either obsolete or non-existent, but commonly believed rules for professional competition:
* The athlete must enter the circle from the back (no rule books contain such a clause).
* The athlete entering the circle, then exiting and re-entering it before starting the throw results in a foul (all rule books allow athletes to leave a circle before starting a throw, but this still counts within the 30 second time limit; the allowable method of exiting the circle varies by rule book).
* Loose clothing, shoelaces, or long hair touching outside the circle during a throw, or an athlete bringing a towel into the circle and then throwing it out before the put, results in a foul.

## Competition

Shot put competitions have been held at the modern Summer Olympic Games since their inception in 1896, and it is also included as an event in the World Athletics Championships.
Each of these competitions in the modern era have a set number of rounds of throws. Typically there are three qualification rounds to determine qualification for the final. There are then three preliminary rounds in the final with the top eight competitors receiving a further three throws. Each competitor in the final is credited with their longest throw, regardless of whether it was achieved in the preliminary or final three rounds. The competitor with the longest legal put is declared the winner.

### Weight

In open competitions the men's shot weighs 7.26 kilograms (16 lb), and the women's shot weighs 4 kilograms (8.82 lb). Junior, school, and masters competitions often use different weights of shots, typically below the weights of those used in open competitions; the individual rules for each competition should be consulted in order to determine the correct weights to be used.

## Putting styles

Two putting styles are in current general use by shot put competitors: the glide and the spin. With all putting styles, the goal is to release the shot with maximum forward velocity at an angle of slightly less than forty-five degrees.

### Glide

The origin of this technique dates to 1951, when Parry O'Brien from the United States invented a technique that involved the putter facing backwards, rotating 180 degrees across the circle, and then tossing the shot. Unlike spin, this technique is a linear movement.
With this technique, a right-hand thrower would begin facing the rear of the circle. They would typically adopt a specific type of crouch, involving their bent right leg, in order to begin the throw from a more beneficial posture whilst also isometrically preloading their muscles. The positioning of their bodyweight over their bent leg, which pushes upwards with equal force, generates a preparatory isometric press. The force generated by this press will be channelled into the subsequent throw making it more powerful. To initiate the throw they kick to the front with the left leg, while pushing off forcefully with the right. As the thrower crosses the circle, the hips twist toward the front, the left arm is swung out then pulled back tight, followed by the shoulders, and they then strike in a putting motion with their right arm. The key is to move quickly across the circle with as little air under the feet as possible, hence the name 'glide'.

### Spin

This is also known as the rotational technique. It was first practiced in Europe in the 1950s but did not receive much attention until the 1970s. In 1972 Aleksandr Baryshnikov set his first USSR record using a new putting style, the spin ("круговой мах" in Russian), invented by his coach Viktor Alexeyev. The spin involves rotating like a discus thrower and using rotational momentum for power. In 1976 Baryshnikov went on to set a world record of 22.00 m (72.18 ft) with his spin style, and was the first shot putter to cross the 22-meter mark.
With this technique, a right-hand thrower faces the rear, and begins to spin on the ball of the left foot. The thrower comes around and faces the front of the circle and drives the right foot into the center of the circle. Finally, the thrower reaches for the front of the circle with the left foot, twisting the hips and shoulders like in the glide, and puts the shot.
When the athlete executes the spin, the upper body is twisted hard to the right, so the imaginary lines created by the shoulders and hips are no longer parallel. This action builds up torque, and stretches the muscles, creating an involuntary elasticity in the muscles, providing extra power and momentum. When the athlete prepares to release, the left foot is firmly planted, causing the momentum and energy generated to be conserved, pushing the shot in an upward and outward direction.
Another purpose of the spin is to build up a high rotational speed, by swinging the right leg initially, then to bring all the limbs in tightly, similar to a figure skater bringing in their arms while spinning to increase their speed. Once this fast speed is achieved the shot is released, transferring the energy into the shot put.
Until 2016, a woman had never made an Olympic final (top 8) using the spin technique. The first woman to enter a final and win a medal at the Olympics was Anita Márton.
Ryan Crouser, the current men's world record holder, added an additional move, the "Crouser Slide", to his spin technique. He used this technique to set the world record at the Los Angeles Grand Prix in 2023.

### Cartwheel

A vertical spinning technique where the athlete does a cartwheel on one hand before releasing the shot. It is currently banned in major competitions.

### Usage

Currently, most top male shot putters use the spin. However the glide remains popular since the technique leads to greater consistency compared to the rotational technique. Almost all throwers start by using the glide. Tomasz Majewski notes that although most athletes use the spin, he and some other top shot putters achieved success using this classic method (for example he became the first to defend the Olympic title in 56 years).
The world record and the next six best male results (23.37, 23.30, 23.15, and 23.12 by Ryan Crouser, 23.23 by Joe Kovacs, and 23.12 and 23.10 by Randy Barnes) were completed with the spin technique, while the eighth-best all-time put of 23.06 m (75 ft 7+3⁄4 in) by Ulf Timmermann was completed with the glide technique.
The decision to glide or spin may need to be decided on an individual basis, determined by the thrower's size and power. Short throwers may benefit from the spin and taller throwers may benefit from the glide, but many throwers do not follow this guideline.

## Types of shot

The shot is made of different kinds of materials depending on its intended use. Materials used include sand, iron, cast iron, solid steel, stainless steel, brass, and synthetic materials like polyvinyl. Some metals are more dense than others, making the size of the shot vary. For example, different materials are used to make indoor and outdoor shot – because damage to surroundings must be taken into account – so the latter are smaller. There are various size and weight standards for the implement that depend on the age and gender of the competitors as well as the national customs of the governing body.

## World records

The current world record holders are:
| Type | Athlete | Mark | Date | Place |
| Men |||||
| Outdoor | Ryan Crouser | 23.56 m (77 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | 27 May 2023 | Los Angeles, USA |
| Indoor | Ryan Crouser | 22.82 m (74 ft 10+1⁄4 in) | 24 January 2021 | Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA |
| Women |||||
| Outdoor | Natalya Lisovskaya | 22.63 m (74 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | 7 June 1987 | Moscow, USSR |
| Indoor | Helena Fibingerová | 22.50 m (73 ft 9+3⁄4 in) | 19 February 1977 | Jablonec, CZE |

## Continental records

The current records held on each continent are:
| Area | Men's | Men's | Men's | Women's | Women's | Women's |
| Area | Mark | Athlete | Nation | Mark | Athlete | Nation |
| Africa | 21.97 m (72 ft 3⁄4 in) | Janus Robberts | South Africa | 18.43 m (60 ft 5+1⁄2 in) | Vivian Chukwuemeka | Nigeria |
| Asia | 21.77 m (71 ft 5 in) | Tajinderpal Singh Toor | India | 21.76 m (71 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Meisu Li | China |
| Europe | 23.06 m (75 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Ulf Timmermann | East Germany | 22.63 m (74 ft 2+3⁄4 in) WR | Natalya Lisovskaya | Soviet Union |
| North and Central America, and Caribbean | 23.56 m (77 ft 3+1⁄2 in) WR | Ryan Crouser | United States | 20.96 m (68 ft 9 in) A | Belsy Laza | Cuba |
| Oceania | 22.90 m (75 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | Tomas Walsh | New Zealand | 21.24 m (69 ft 8 in) | Valerie Adams | New Zealand |
| South America | 22.61 m (74 ft 2 in) | Darlan Romani | Brazil | 19.30 m (63 ft 3+3⁄4 in) A | Elisângela Adriano | Brazil |

## All-time top 25

* Outdoor tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 shot put marks and the top 25 athletes:
* - denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 shot put marks
* - denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 shot put marks, by repeat athletes
* - denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 shot put marks

### Men (outdoor)

* Correct as of September 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Mark | Technique | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 23.56 m (77 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | spin | Ryan Crouser | United States | 27 May 2023 | Los Angeles |
| | 2 | 23.51 m (77 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | | Crouser #2 | | 19 August 2023 | Budapest |
| | 3 | 23.37 m (76 ft 8 in) | | Crouser #3 | | 18 June 2021 | Eugene |
| | 4 | 23.30 m (76 ft 5+1⁄4 in) | | Crouser #4 | | 5 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 2 | 5 | 23.23 m (76 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | spin | Joe Kovacs | United States | 7 September 2022 | Zürich |
| | 6 | 23.15 m (75 ft 11+1⁄4 in) | | Crouser #5 | | 21 August 2021 | Eugene |
| | 7 | 23.13 m (75 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | | Kovacs #2 | | 25 May 2024 | Eugene |
| 3 | 8 | 23.12 m (75 ft 10 in) | spin | Randy Barnes | United States | 20 May 1990 | Westwood |
| | 8 | 23.12 m (75 ft 10 in) | | Crouser #6 | | 24 June 2022 | Eugene |
| | 10 | 23.10 m (75 ft 9+1⁄4 in) | | Barnes #2 | | 26 May 1990 | San Jose |
| | 11 | 23.07 m (75 ft 8+1⁄4 in) | | Crouser #7 | | 23 July 2023 | London |
| 4 | 12 | 23.06 m (75 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | glide | Ulf Timmermann | East Germany | 22 May 1988 | Chania |
| | 13 | 23.02 m (75 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | | Crouser #8 | | 28 May 2022 | Eugene |
| | 14 | 23.01 m (75 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | | Crouser #9 | | 22 May 2021 | Tucson |
| 5 | 15 | 22.98 m (75 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | spin | Leonardo Fabbri | Italy | 14 September 2024 | Brussels |
| | 16 | 22.95 m (75 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | | Fabbri #2 | | 15 May 2024 | Savona |
| | 17 | 22.94 m (75 ft 3 in) | | Crouser #10 | | 17 July 2022 | Eugene |
| | 18 | 22.93 m (75 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | | Kovacs #3 | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| | 18 | 22.93 m (75 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | | Crouser #11 | | 7 September 2024 | Zagreb |
| | 18 | 22.93 m (75 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | | Kovacs #4 | | 18 May 2024 | Los Angeles |
| | 21 | 22.92 m (75 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | | Crouser #12 | | 18 June 2021 | Eugene |
| 6 | 22 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | glide | Alessandro Andrei | Italy | 12 August 1987 | Viareggio |
| | 22 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | | Kovacs #5 | | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| | 22 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | | Crouser #13 | | 18 July 2020 | Marietta |
| | 22 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | | Crouser #14 | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| | 22 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | | Fabbri #3 | | 23 May 2024 | Asti |
| 7 | | 22.90 m (75 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | spin | Tom Walsh | New Zealand | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 8 | | 22.86 m (75 ft 0 in) A | spin | Brian Oldfield | United States | 10 May 1975 | El Paso |
| 9 | | 22.75 m (74 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | glide | Werner Günthör | Switzerland | 23 August 1988 | Bern |
| 10 | | 22.67 m (74 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | spin | Kevin Toth | United States | 19 April 2003 | Lawrence |
| 11 | | 22.64 m (74 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | glide | Udo Beyer | East Germany | 20 August 1986 | Berlin |
| 12 | | 22.61 m (74 ft 2 in) | spin | Darlan Romani | Brazil | 30 June 2019 | Stanford |
| 13 | | 22.59 m (74 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | spin | Payton Otterdahl | United States | 24 April 2024 | Des Moines |
| 14 | | 22.54 m (73 ft 11+1⁄4 in) | spin | Christian Cantwell | United States | 5 June 2004 | Gresham |
| 15 | | 22.52 m (73 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | glide | John Brenner | United States | 26 April 1987 | Walnut |
| 16 | | 22.51 m (73 ft 10 in) | spin | Adam Nelson | United States | 18 May 2002 | Portland |
| 17 | | 22.44 m (73 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | spin | Darrell Hill | United States | 31 August 2017 | Brussels |
| 17 | | 22.44 m (73 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | spin | Zane Weir | Italy | 3 September 2023 | Padua |
| 19 | | 22.43 m (73 ft 7 in) | spin | Reese Hoffa | United States | 3 August 2007 | London |
| 20 | | 22.32 m (73 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | spin | Michał Haratyk | Poland | 28 July 2019 | Warsaw |
| 21 | | 22.31 m (73 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | spin | Rajindra Campbell | Jamaica | 7 September 2024 | Zagreb |
| 22 | | 22.29 m (73 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | spin | Josh Awotunde | United States | 17 July 2022 | Eugene |
| 23 | | 22.28 m (73 ft 1 in) | spin | Ryan Whiting | United States | 10 May 2013 | Doha |
| 24 | | 22.25 m (72 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | spin | Konrad Bukowiecki | Poland | 14 September 2019 | Chorzów |
| 24 | | 22.25 m (72 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | spin | Jordan Geist | United States | 12 July 2024 | Dublin |

#### Notable throws and series

* Ryan Crouser threw 23.12 in Eugene, Oregon on 24 June 2022. 23.01, 23.11 and 22.98 (ancillary throws) were recorded for his remaining attempts. This was the first time the 23-metre barrier has been broken more than once in a series.
* Crouser also threw a series of 23.23, 23.31, 22.94, 23.56, 22.80 and 22.86 in Los Angeles, California on 27 May 2023 to break again the 23-metre mark three times in a series.

### Women (outdoor)

* Correct as of April 2022.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Mark | Technique | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 22.63 m (74 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | glide | Natalya Lisovskaya | Soviet Union | 7 June 1987 | Moscow |
| | 2 | 22.60 m (74 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | | Lisovskaya #2 | | 7 June 1987 | Moscow |
| | 3 | 22.55 m (73 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | | Lisovskaya #3 | | 5 July 1988 | Tallinn |
| | 4 | 22.53 m (73 ft 11 in) | | Lisovskaya #4 | | 27 May 1984 | Sochi |
| | 4 | 22.53 m (73 ft 11 in) | | Lisovskaya #5 | | 14 August 1988 | Kyiv |
| 2 | 6 | 22.45 m (73 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | glide | Ilona Slupianek | East Germany | 11 May 1980 | Potsdam |
| | 7 | 22.41 m (73 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #2 | | 24 July 1980 | Moscow |
| | 8 | 22.40 m (73 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #3 | | 3 June 1983 | Berlin |
| | 9 | 22.38 m (73 ft 5 in) | | Slupianek #4 | | 25 May 1980 | Karl-Marx-Stadt |
| | 10 | 22.36 m (73 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #5 | | 2 May 1980 | Celje |
| | 11 | 22.34 m (73 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | | Slupianek #6 | | 7 May 1980 | Berlin |
| | 11 | 22.34 m (73 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | | Slupianek #7 | | 18 July 1980 | Cottbus |
| 3 | 13 | 22.32 m (73 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | glide | Helena Fibingerová | Czechoslovakia | 20 August 1977 | Nitra |
| | 14 | 22.24 m (72 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | | Lisovskaya #6 | | 1 October 1988 | Seoul |
| | 15 | 22.22 m (72 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #8 | | 13 July 1980 | Potsdam |
| 4 | 16 | 22.19 m (72 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | glide | Claudia Losch | West Germany | 23 August 1987 | Hainfeld |
| | 17 | 22.13 m (72 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #9 | | 29 April 1980 | Split |
| | 18 | 22.06 m (72 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | | Lisovskaya #7 | | 6 August 1988 | Moscow |
| | 19 | 22.05 m (72 ft 4 in) | | Slupianek #10 | | 28 May 1980 | Berlin |
| | 19 | 22.05 m (72 ft 4 in) | | Slupianek #11 | | 31 May 1980 | Potsdam |
| | 21 | 22.04 m (72 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | | Slupianek #12 | | 4 July 1979 | Potsdam |
| | 21 | 22.04 m (72 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | | Slupianek #13 | | 29 July 1979 | Potsdam |
| | 23 | 21.99 m (72 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | | Fibingerová #2 | | 26 September 1976 | Opava |
| | 24 | 21.98 m (72 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | | Slupianek #14 | | 17 July 1979 | Berlin |
| | 25 | 21.96 m (72 ft 1⁄2 in) | | Fibingerová #3 | | 8 June 1977 | Ostrava |
| | 25 | 21.96 m (72 ft 1⁄2 in) | | Lisovskaya #8 | | 16 August 1984 | Prague |
| | 25 | 21.96 m (72 ft 1⁄2 in) | | Lisovskaya #9 | | 28 August 1988 | Vilnius |
| 5 | | 21.89 m (71 ft 9+3⁄4 in) | glide | Ivanka Khristova | Bulgaria | 4 July 1976 | Belmeken |
| 6 | | 21.86 m (71 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | glide | Marianne Adam | East Germany | 23 June 1979 | Leipzig |
| 7 | | 21.76 m (71 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | glide | Li Meisu | China | 23 April 1988 | Shijiazhuang |
| 8 | | 21.73 m (71 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | glide | Natalya Akhrimenko | Soviet Union | 21 May 1988 | Leselidze |
| 9 | | 21.69 m (71 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | glide | Vita Pavlysh | Ukraine | 20 August 1998 | Budapest |
| 10 | | 21.66 m (71 ft 3⁄4 in) | glide | Sui Xinmei | China | 9 June 1990 | Beijing |
| 11 | | 21.61 m (70 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | glide | Verzhinia Veselinova | Bulgaria | 21 August 1982 | Sofia |
| 12 | | 21.58 m (70 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | glide | Margitta Droese-Pufe | East Germany | 28 May 1978 | Erfurt |
| 13 | | 21.57 m (70 ft 9 in) | glide | Ines Müller | East Germany | 16 May 1988 | Athens |
| 14 | | 21.53 m (70 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | glide | Nunu Abashidze | Soviet Union | 20 June 1984 | Kyiv |
| 15 | | 21.52 m (70 ft 7 in) | glide | Huang Zhihong | China | 27 June 1990 | Beijing |
| 16 | | 21.46 m (70 ft 4+3⁄4 in) | glide | Larisa Peleshenko | Russia | 26 August 2000 | Budapest |
| 17 | | 21.45 m (70 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | glide | Nadezhda Chizhova | Soviet Union | 29 September 1973 | Varna |
| 18 | | 21.43 m (70 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | glide | Eva Wilms | West Germany | 17 June 1977 | Munich |
| 19 | | 21.42 m (70 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | glide | Svetlana Krachevskaya | Soviet Union | 24 July 1980 | Moscow |
| 20 | | 21.31 m (69 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | glide | Heike Hartwig | East Germany | 16 May 1988 | Athens |
| 21 | | 21.27 m (69 ft 9+1⁄4 in) | glide | Liane Schmuhl | East Germany | 26 June 1982 | Cottbus |
| 22 | | 21.24 m (69 ft 8 in) | glide | Valerie Adams | New Zealand | 29 August 2011 | Daegu |
| 23 | | 21.22 m (69 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | glide | Astrid Kumbernuss | Germany | 5 August 1995 | Gothenburg |
| 24 | | 21.21 m (69 ft 7 in) | glide | Kathrin Neimke | East Germany | 5 September 1987 | Rome |
| 25 | | 21.19 m (69 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | glide | Helma Knorscheidt | East Germany | 24 May 1984 | Berlin |

### Men (indoor)

* Correct as of February 2024.
| Rank | Mark | Athlete | Date | Place |
| 1 | 22.82 m (74 ft 10+1⁄4 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | 24 January 2021 | Fayetteville |
| 2 | 22.66 m (74 ft 4 in) | Randy Barnes (USA) | 20 January 1989 | Los Angeles |
| 3 | 22.55 m (73 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | 11 February 1989 | Senftenberg |
| 4 | 22.53 m (73 ft 11 in) | Darlan Romani (BRA) | 19 March 2022 | Belgrade |
| 5 | 22.40 m (73 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | Adam Nelson (USA) | 15 February 2008 | Fayetteville |
| 6 | 22.37 m (73 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Leonardo Fabbri (ITA) | 11 February 2024 | Liévin |
| 7 | 22.31 m (73 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Tom Walsh (NZL) | 3 March 2018 | Birmingham |
| 8 | 22.26 m (73 ft 1⁄4 in) | Werner Günthör (SUI) | 8 February 1987 | Magglingen |
| 9 | 22.23 m (72 ft 11 in) A | Ryan Whiting (USA) | 23 February 2014 | Albuquerque |
| 10 | 22.18 m (72 ft 9 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | 22 February 2008 | Warrensburg |
| 11 | 22.17 m (72 ft 8+3⁄4 in) | Tomáš Staněk (CZE) | 6 February 2018 | Düsseldorf |
| 12 | 22.16 m (72 ft 8+1⁄4 in) | Rajindra Campbell (JAM) | 23 February 2024 | Madrid |
| 13 | 22.11 m (72 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | Reese Hoffa (USA) | 10 March 2006 | Moscow |
| 14 | 22.09 m (72 ft 5+1⁄2 in) | Mika Halvari (FIN) | 7 February 2000 | Tampere |
| 15 | 22.06 m (72 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Zane Weir (ITA) | 3 March 2023 | Istanbul |
| 16 | 22.05 m (72 ft 4 in) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | 13 February 2021 | Geneva |
| 17 | 22.02 m (72 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | George Woods (USA) | 8 February 1974 | Inglewood |
| 18 | 22.00 m (72 ft 2 in) | Konrad Bukowiecki (POL) | 15 February 2018 | Toruń |
| 19 | 21.93 m (71 ft 11+1⁄4 in) | Bob Bertemes (LUX) | 19 February 2023 | Kirchberg |
| 20 | 21.88 m (71 ft 9+1⁄4 in) | David Storl (GER) | 9 March 2012 | Istanbul |
| 21 | 21.85 m (71 ft 8 in) | Turner Washington (USA) | 13 February 2021 | Lubbock |
| 22 | 21.84 m (71 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Filip Mihaljević (CRO) | 27 February 2020 | Belgrade |
| 22 | 21.84 m (71 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Roman Kokoshko (UKR) | 3 March 2023 | Istanbul |
| 24 | 21.83 m (71 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | Oleksandr Bahach (UKR) | 21 February 1991 | Brovary |
| 24 | 21.83 m (71 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | John Godina (USA) | 26 February 2005 | Boston |
| 24 | 21.83 m (71 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | Michał Haratyk (POL) | 12 February 2021 | Łódź |

#### Notes

Below is a list of all other throws equal or superior to 22.42 m:
* Ryan Crouser also threw 22.80 (2024), 22.77 (2024), 22.70 (2021), 22.66 (2021), 22.65 (2021), 22.60 (2020), 22.58 (2020, 2023), 22.48 (2021), 22.43 (2021) and 22.42 (2023).
* Randy Barnes also threw 22.66 (1989).
* Ulf Timmermann also threw 22.55 (1989).
Ryan Crouser threw 23.38 i, a possible world record, in Pocatello, Idaho on 18 February 2023. But this result was unratifiable because the throwing circle was too wide and raised above ground level.

### Women (indoor)

* Correct as of March 2025.
| Rank | Mark | Athlete | Date | Place |
| 1 | 22.50 m (73 ft 9+3⁄4 in) | Helena Fibingerová (TCH) | 19 February 1977 | Jablonec |
| 2 | 22.14 m (72 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | 7 February 1987 | Penza |
| 3 | 21.60 m (70 ft 10+1⁄4 in) | Valentina Fedyushina (UKR) | 28 December 1991 | Simferopol |
| 4 | 21.59 m (70 ft 10 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | 24 January 1979 | Berlin |
| 5 | 21.46 m (70 ft 4+3⁄4 in) | Claudia Losch (FRG) | 4 February 1986 | Zweibrücken |
| 6 | 21.26 m (69 ft 9 in) | Ines Müller (GDR) | 24 February 1985 | Berlin |
| 6 | 21.26 m (69 ft 9 in) | Natalya Akhrimenko (URS) | 24 January 1987 | Leningrad |
| 8 | 21.23 m (69 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Margitta Droese-Pufe (GDR) | 26 February 1978 | Senftenberg |
| 9 | 21.15 m (69 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) | 18 February 1999 | Moscow |
| 10 | 21.10 m (69 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Sui Xinmei (CHN) | 3 March 1990 | Beijing |
| 11 | 21.08 m (69 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | Li Meisu (CHN) | 25 March 1988 | Beijing |
| 12 | 21.06 m (69 ft 1 in) | Eva Wilms (FRG) | 19 February 1977 | Dortmund |
| 12 | 21.06 m (69 ft 1 in) | Nunu Abashidze (URS) | 8 February 1984 | Budapest |
| 14 | 21.03 m (68 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | Helma Knorscheidt (GDR) | 4 August 1983 | Berlin |
| 15 | 20.98 m (68 ft 9+3⁄4 in) | Valerie Adams (NZL) | 28 August 2013 | Zürich |
| 16 | 20.94 m (68 ft 8+1⁄4 in) | Kathrin Neimke (GDR) | 3 February 1988 | Senftenberg |
| 17 | 20.85 m (68 ft 4+3⁄4 in) | Heidi Krieger (GDR) | 25 January 1987 | Berlin |
| 18 | 20.78 m (68 ft 2 in) | Ivanka Khristova (BUL) | 14 February 1976 | Sofia |
| 19 | 20.75 m (68 ft 3⁄4 in) | Heike Hartwig (GDR) | 7 February 1987 | Senftenberg |
| 20 | 20.74 m (68 ft 1⁄2 in) | Verzhiniya Veselinova (BUL) | 21 February 1982 | Sofia |
| 21 | 20.73 m (68 ft 0 in) | Vita Pavlysh (UKR) | 22 February 2004 | Sumy |
| 22 | 20.71 m (67 ft 11+1⁄4 in) | Larisa Peleshenko (URS) | 11 February 1988 | Volgograd |
| 23 | 20.70 m (67 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | Liane Schmuhl (GDR) | 27 February 1982 | Senftenberg |
| 24 | 20.69 m (67 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | 22 January 1999 | Moscow |
| 24 | 20.69 m (67 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | Jessica Schilder (NED) | 9 March 2025 | Apeldoorn |

#### Annulled

The following athletes had their performance (inside 21.50 m) annulled due to doping offences:
* Nadzeya Ostapchuk 21.70 (2010)

## Olympic medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

## World Championship medalists
### Men

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1983 Helsinki details | Edward Sarul (POL) | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | Remigius Machura (TCH) |
| 1987 Rome details | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Alessandro Andrei (ITA) | John Brenner (USA) |
| 1991 Tokyo details | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Lars Arvid Nilsen (NOR) | Aleksandr Klimenko (URS) |
| 1993 Stuttgart details | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Randy Barnes (USA) | Oleksandr Bagach (UKR) |
| 1995 Gothenburg details | John Godina (USA) | Mika Halvari (FIN) | Randy Barnes (USA) |
| 1997 Athens details | John Godina (USA) | Oliver-Sven Buder (GER) | C. J. Hunter (USA) |
| 1999 Seville details | C. J. Hunter (USA) | Oliver-Sven Buder (GER) | Oleksandr Bagach (UKR) |
| 2001 Edmonton details | John Godina (USA) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Arsi Harju (FIN) |
| 2003 Saint-Denis details | Andrei Mikhnevich (BLR) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Yuriy Bilonoh (UKR) |
| 2005 Helsinki details | Adam Nelson (USA) | Rutger Smith (NED) | Ralf Bartels (GER) |
| 2007 Osaka details | Reese Hoffa (USA) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Rutger Smith (NED) |
| 2009 Berlin details | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Tomasz Majewski (POL) | Ralf Bartels (GER) |
| 2011 Daegu details | David Storl (GER) | Dylan Armstrong (CAN) | Christian Cantwell (USA) |
| 2013 Moscow details | David Storl (GER) | Ryan Whiting (USA) | Dylan Armstrong (CAN) |
| 2015 Beijing details | Joe Kovacs (USA) | David Storl (GER) | O'Dayne Richards (JAM) |
| 2017 London details | Tom Walsh (NZL) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Stipe Žunić (CRO) |
| 2019 Doha details | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Tom Walsh (NZL) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Josh Awotunde (USA) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Leonardo Fabbri (ITA) | Joe Kovacs (USA) |

### Women

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1983 Helsinki details | Helena Fibingerová (TCH) | Helma Knorscheidt (GDR) | Ilona Schoknecht-Slupianek (GDR) |
| 1987 Rome details | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Kathrin Neimke (GDR) | Ines Müller (GDR) |
| 1991 Tokyo details | Huang Zhihong (CHN) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Svetlana Krivelyova (URS) |
| 1993 Stuttgart details | Huang Zhihong (CHN) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Kathrin Neimke (GER) |
| 1995 Gothenburg details | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Huang Zhihong (CHN) | Svetla Mitkova (BUL) |
| 1997 Athens details | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Vita Pavlysh (UKR) | Stephanie Storp (GER) |
| 1999 Seville details | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) |
| 2001 Edmonton details | Yanina Karolchik (BLR) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) | Vita Pavlysh (UKR) |
| 2003 Saint-Denis details | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Nadzeya Ostapchuk (BLR) | Vita Pavlysh (UKR) |
| 2005 Helsinki details | Olga Ryabinkina (RUS) | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) |
| 2007 Osaka details | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) | Li Ling (CHN) |
| 2009 Berlin details | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |
| 2011 Daegu details | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Jillian Camarena-Williams (USA) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |
| 2013 Moscow details | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Christina Schwanitz (GER) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |
| 2015 Beijing details | Christina Schwanitz (GER) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Michelle Carter (USA) |
| 2017 London details | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Anita Márton (HUN) | Michelle Carter (USA) |
| 2019 Doha details | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Danniel Thomas-Dodd (JAM) | Christina Schwanitz (GER) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Chase Ealey (USA) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Jessica Schilder (NED) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Chase Ealey (USA) | Sarah Mitton (CAN) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |

## World Indoor Championships medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1985 Paris details | Remigius Machura (TCH) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Jānis Bojārs (URS) |
| 1987 Indianapolis details | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Sergey Smirnov (URS) |
| 1989 Budapest details | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | Randy Barnes (USA) | Georg Andersen (NOR) |
| 1991 Seville details | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Klaus Bodenmüller (AUT) | Ron Backes (USA) |
| 1993 Toronto details | Mike Stulce (USA) | Jim Doehring (USA) | Oleksandr Bagach (UKR) |
| 1995 Barcelona details | Mika Halvari (FIN) | C. J. Hunter (USA) | Dragan Perić (FRY) |
| 1997 Paris details | Yuriy Bilonoh (UKR) | Oleksandr Bagach (UKR) | John Godina (USA) |
| 1999 Maebashi details | Oleksandr Bagach (UKR) | John Godina (USA) | Yuriy Bilonoh (UKR) |
| 2001 Lisbon details | John Godina (USA) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Manuel Martínez (ESP) |
| 2003 Birmingham details | Manuel Martínez (ESP) | John Godina (USA) | Yuriy Bilonoh (UKR) |
| 2004 Budapest details | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Reese Hoffa (USA) | Joachim Olsen (DEN) |
| 2006 Moscow details | Reese Hoffa (USA) | Joachim Olsen (DEN) | Pavel Sofin (RUS) |
| 2008 Valencia details | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Reese Hoffa (USA) | Tomasz Majewski (POL) |
| 2010 Doha details | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Ralf Bartels (GER) | Dylan Armstrong (CAN) |
| 2012 Istanbul details | Ryan Whiting (USA) | David Storl (GER) | Tomasz Majewski (POL) |
| 2014 Sopot details | Ryan Whiting (USA) | David Storl (GER) | Tomas Walsh (NZL) |
| 2016 Portland details | Tomas Walsh (NZL) | Andrei Gag (ROU) | Filip Mihaljević (CRO) |
| 2018 Birmingham details | Tomas Walsh (NZL) | David Storl (GER) | Tomáš Staněk (CZE) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Darlan Romani (BRA) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Tomas Walsh (NZL) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Tomas Walsh (NZL) | Leonardo Fabbri (ITA) |

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1985 Paris details | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Ines Müller (GDR) | Nunu Abashidze (URS) |
| 1987 Indianapolis details | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Ilona Briesenick (GDR) | Claudia Losch (FRG) |
| 1989 Budapest details | Claudia Losch (FRG) | Huang Zhihong (CHN) | Christa Wiese (GDR) |
| 1991 Seville details | Sui Xinmei (CHN) | Huang Zhihong (CHN) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) |
| 1993 Toronto details | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Stephanie Storp (GER) | Zhang Liuhong (CHN) |
| 1995 Barcelona details | Kathrin Neimke (GER) | Connie Price-Smith (USA) | Grit Hammer (GER) |
| 1997 Paris details | Vita Pavlysh (UKR) | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) |
| 1999 Maebashi details | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Krystyna Danilczyk-Zabawska (POL) | Teri Steer-Tunks (USA) |
| 2001 Lisbon details | Larisa Peleshenko (RUS) | Nadzeya Ostapchuk (BLR) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) |
| 2003 Birmingham details | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) | Nadzeya Ostapchuk (BLR) | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) |
| 2004 Budapest details | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Yumileidi Cumbá (CUB) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) |
| 2006 Moscow details | Natallia Mikhnevich (BLR) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) | Olga Ryabinkina (RUS) |
| 2008 Valencia details | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Li Meiju (CHN) | Misleydis González (CUB) |
| 2010 Doha details | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Anna Avdeyeva (RUS) | Nadine Kleinert (GER) |
| 2012 Istanbul details | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Michelle Carter (USA) | Jillian Camarena-Williams (USA) |
| 2014 Sopot details | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Christina Schwanitz (GER) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |
| 2016 Portland details | Michelle Carter (USA) | Anita Márton (HUN) | Valerie Adams (NZL) |
| 2018 Birmingham details | Anita Márton (HUN) | Danniel Thomas-Dodd (JAM) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Auriol Dongmo (POR) | Chase Ealey (USA) | Jessica Schilder (NED) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Sarah Mitton (CAN) | Yemisi Ogunleye (GER) | Chase Jackson (USA) |
* $^A$ Known as the World Indoor Games

## Season's bests

Men :
| Year | Mark | Athlete | Place |
| 1964 | 20.68 m (67 ft 10 in) | Dallas Long (USA) | Los Angeles |
| 1965 | 21.52 m (70 ft 7 in) | Randy Matson (USA) | College Station |
| 1966 | 21.09 m (69 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Randy Matson (USA) | Los Angeles |
| 1967 | 21.78 m (71 ft 5+1⁄4 in) | Randy Matson (USA) | College Station |
| 1968 | 21.30 m (69 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | Randy Matson (USA) | Walnut |
| 1969 | 20.64 m (67 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | Neal Steinhauer (USA) | Eugene |
| 1969 | 20.64 m (67 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | Hans-Peter Gies (GDR) | Budapest |
| 1970 | 21.75 m (71 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | Randy Matson (USA) | Berkeley |
| 1971 | 21.12 m (69 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Heinz-Joachim Rothenburg (GDR) | Moscow |
| 1972 | 21.54 m (70 ft 8 in) | Hartmut Briesenick (GDR) | Potsdam |
| 1973 | 21.82 m (71 ft 7 in) | Al Feuerbach (USA) | San Jose |
| 1974 | 22.02 m (72 ft 2+3⁄4 in) i | George Woods (USA) | Moscow |
| 1975 | 22.86 m (75 ft 0 in) A | Brian Oldfield (USA) | El Paso |
| 1976 | 22.45 m (73 ft 7+3⁄4 in) A | Brian Oldfield (USA) | El Paso |
| 1977 | 21.74 m (71 ft 3+3⁄4 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Düsseldorf |
| 1978 | 22.15 m (72 ft 8 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Gothenburg |
| 1979 | 21.74 m (71 ft 3+3⁄4 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Linz |
| 1980 | 21.98 m (72 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Erfurt |
| 1981 | 22.02 m (72 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | Brian Oldfield (USA) | Modesto |
| 1982 | 22.02 m (72 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | Dave Laut (USA) | Koblenz |
| 1983 | 22.22 m (72 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Los Angeles |
| 1984 | 22.19 m (72 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | Brian Oldfield (USA) | San Jose |
| 1985 | 22.62 m (74 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | Berlin |
| 1986 | 22.64 m (74 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Udo Beyer (GDR) | Berlin |
| 1987 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | Alessandro Andrei (ITA) | Viareggio |
| 1988 | 23.06 m (75 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Ulf Timmermann (GDR) | Hania |
| 1989 | 22.66 m (74 ft 4 in) i | Randy Barnes (USA) | Los Angeles |
| 1990 | 23.12 m (75 ft 10 in) | Randy Barnes (USA) | Westwood |
| 1991 | 22.03 m (72 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Oslo |
| 1992 | 21.98 m (72 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | Gregg Tafralis (USA) | Los Gatos |
| 1993 | 21.98 m (72 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | Werner Günthör (SUI) | Linz |
| 1994 | 21.09 m (69 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Jim Doehring (USA) | New York City |
| 1995 | 22.00 m (72 ft 2 in) | John Godina (USA) | Knoxville |
| 1996 | 22.40 m (73 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | Randy Barnes (USA) | Rüdlingen |
| 1997 | 22.03 m (72 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Randy Barnes (USA) | Indianapolis |
| 1998 | 21.78 m (71 ft 5+1⁄4 in) | John Godina (USA) | Walnut |
| 1999 | 22.02 m (72 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | John Godina (USA) | Eugene |
| 2000 | 22.12 m (72 ft 6+3⁄4 in) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Sacramento |
| 2001 | 21.97 m (72 ft 3⁄4 in) | Janus Robberts (RSA) | Eugene |
| 2002 | 22.51 m (73 ft 10 in) | Adam Nelson (USA) | Gresham |
| 2003 | 22.67 m (74 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Kevin Toth (USA) | Lawrence |
| 2004 | 22.54 m (73 ft 11+1⁄4 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Gresham |
| 2005 | 22.20 m (72 ft 10 in) | John Godina (USA) | Carson |
| 2006 | 22.45 m (73 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Gateshead |
| 2007 | 22.43 m (73 ft 7 in) | Reese Hoffa (USA) | London |
| 2008 | 22.40 m (73 ft 5+3⁄4 in) i | Adam Nelson (USA) | Fayetteville |
| 2009 | 22.16 m (72 ft 8+1⁄4 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Zagreb |
| 2010 | 22.41 m (73 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Eugene |
| 2011 | 22.21 m (72 ft 10+1⁄4 in) A | Dylan Armstrong (CAN) | Calgary |
| 2012 | 22.31 m (73 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Christian Cantwell (USA) | Champaign |
| 2013 | 22.28 m (73 ft 1 in) | Ryan Whiting (USA) | Doha |
| 2014 | 22.23 m (72 ft 11 in) i A | Ryan Whiting (USA) | Albuquerque |
| 2015 | 22.56 m (74 ft 0 in) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Monaco |
| 2016 | 22.52 m (73 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Rio de Janeiro |
| 2017 | 22.65 m (74 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Sacramento |
| 2018 | 22.67 m (74 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Tom Walsh (NZL) | Auckland |
| 2019 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Doha |
| 2020 | 22.91 m (75 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Marietta |
| 2021 | 23.37 m (76 ft 8 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Eugene |
| 2022 | 23.23 m (76 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Zürich |
| 2023 | 23.56 m (77 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | Ryan Crouser (USA) | Los Angeles |
| 2024 | 23.13 m (75 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | Joe Kovacs (USA) | Eugene |
Women :
| Year | Mark | Athlete | Place |
| 1964 | 18.40 m (60 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | Tamara Press (URS) | Minsk |
| 1965 | 18.59 m (60 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | Tamara Press (URS) | Kassel |
| 1966 | 18.01 m (59 ft 1 in) | Tamara Press (URS) | Auckland |
| 1967 | 18.34 m (60 ft 2 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Karl-Marx-Stadt |
| 1968 | 19.61 m (64 ft 4 in) A | Margitta Gummel (GDR) | Mexico City |
| 1969 | 20.43 m (67 ft 1⁄4 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Athens |
| 1970 | 19.69 m (64 ft 7 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Erfurt |
| 1971 | 20.43 m (67 ft 1⁄4 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Moscow |
| 1972 | 21.03 m (68 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Munich |
| 1973 | 21.45 m (70 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) | Varna |
| 1974 | 21.57 m (70 ft 9 in) | Helena Fibingerová (TCH) | Gottwaldov |
| 1975 | 21.60 m (70 ft 10+1⁄4 in) | Marianne Adam (GDR) | Berlin |
| 1976 | 21.99 m (72 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | Helena Fibingerová (TCH) | Opava |
| 1977 | 22.50 m (73 ft 9+3⁄4 in) i | Helena Fibingerová (TCH) | Jablonec |
| 1978 | 22.06 m (72 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Berlin |
| 1979 | 22.04 m (72 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Potsdam |
| 1980 | 22.45 m (73 ft 7+3⁄4 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Potsdam |
| 1981 | 21.61 m (70 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Potsdam |
| 1982 | 21.80 m (71 ft 6+1⁄4 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Potsdam |
| 1983 | 22.40 m (73 ft 5+3⁄4 in) | Ilona Slupianek (GDR) | Berlin |
| 1984 | 22.53 m (73 ft 11 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Sochi |
| 1985 | 21.73 m (71 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Erfurt |
| 1986 | 21.70 m (71 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Tallinn |
| 1987 | 22.63 m (74 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Moscow |
| 1988 | 22.55 m (73 ft 11+3⁄4 in) | Natalya Lisovskaya (URS) | Tallinn |
| 1989 | 20.82 m (68 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | Li Meisu (CHN) | Prague |
| 1990 | 21.66 m (71 ft 3⁄4 in) | Sui Xinmei (CHN) | Beijing |
| 1991 | 21.60 m (70 ft 10+1⁄4 in) i | Valentina Fedyushina (URS) | Simferopol |
| 1992 | 21.06 m (69 ft 1 in) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Barcelona |
| 1993 | 20.84 m (68 ft 4+1⁄4 in) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Moscow |
| 1994 | 20.54 m (67 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Sui Xinmei (CHN) | Beijing |
| 1995 | 21.22 m (69 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Gothenburg |
| 1996 | 20.97 m (68 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Duisburg |
| 1997 | 21.22 m (69 ft 7+1⁄4 in) | Astrid Kumbernuss (GER) | Hamburg |
| 1998 | 21.69 m (71 ft 1+3⁄4 in) | Viktoriya Pavlysh (UKR) | Budapest |
| 1999 | 21.15 m (69 ft 4+1⁄2 in) i | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) | Moscow |
| 2000 | 21.46 m (70 ft 4+3⁄4 in) | Larisa Peleshenko (RUS) | Moscow |
| 2001 | 20.79 m (68 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Larisa Peleshenko (RUS) | Tula |
| 2002 | 20.64 m (67 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) | Munich |
| 2003 | 20.77 m (68 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | Svetlana Krivelyova (RUS) | Tula |
| 2004 | 20.79 m (68 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | Irina Korzhanenko (RUS) | Tula |
| 2005 | 21.09 m (69 ft 2+1⁄4 in) | Nadzeya Astapchuk (BLR) | Minsk |
| 2006 | 20.20 m (66 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Christchurch |
| 2007 | 20.54 m (67 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Osaka |
| 2008 | 20.70 m (67 ft 10+3⁄4 in) | Natalya Mikhnevich (BLR) | Grodno |
| 2009 | 21.07 m (69 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | Valerie Vili (NZL) | Thessaloniki |
| 2010 | 20.86 m (68 ft 5+1⁄4 in) | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Split |
| 2011 | 21.24 m (69 ft 8 in) | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Daegu |
| 2012 | 21.11 m (69 ft 3 in) | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Lucerne |
| 2013 | 20.98 m (68 ft 9+3⁄4 in) i | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Zürich |
| 2014 | 20.67 m (67 ft 9+3⁄4 in) i | Valerie Adams (NZL) | Sopot |
| 2015 | 20.77 m (68 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | Christina Schwanitz (GER) | Beijing |
| 2016 | 20.63 m (67 ft 8 in) | Michelle Carter (USA) | Rio de Janeiro |
| 2017 | 20.11 m (65 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Böhmenkirch |
| 2018 | 20.38 m (66 ft 10+1⁄4 in) A | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Guiyang |
| 2019 | 20.31 m (66 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Zürich |
| 2020 | 19.70 m (64 ft 7+1⁄2 in) i | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Beijing |
| 2021 | 20.58 m (67 ft 6 in) | Gong Lijiao (CHN) | Tokyo |
| 2022 | 20.51 m (67 ft 3+1⁄4 in) | Chase Ealey (USA) | Eugene |
| 2023 | 20.76 m (68 ft 1+1⁄4 in) | Chase Ealey (USA) | Eugene |
| 2024 | 20.68 m (67 ft 10 in) | Sarah Mitton (CAN) | Fleetwood |