Shot Put Size Guide report

Shot put is one of the high-profile events on the track and field, which is a throwing event. The shot putter needs to use the whole body's strength to push a certain weight of the shot from the shoulder and the arm and then judge the winner by the final distance.

Shot put originated from the activities of ancient humans using stones for hunting animals or defending against attacks. The modern shot put sport began in the 1440s when the European artillerymen threw cannonballs in their leisure time games and competitions and gradually formed a sports event. The men's and women's shot put were listed as Olympic events in 1896 and 1948, respectively.

World Athletics, established in 1912 and headquartered in Monaco, has formulated unified rules and shot put weights and dimensions. However, different regions and levels of events are managed by different sports organizations, and the specifications of the shot put may also be different.

Shot Put Size Guide

The shot put is a metal ball with a smooth sphere, free of indentations, which would help the shot putter grip it. Usually, the shot put is made of brass, stainless steel, or iron, but the shot used indoors may be a sphere of synthetic material filled with weights. The metal ball is put, not thrown, with one hand. Regarding all throwing sports, there are certain rules to follow and weights and sizes to be respected depending on your age group. Shot putters come in all sizes and shapes; different-aged men and women can participate in the shot put, but they won't all throw the same weight. To win a game, a shot putter requires strength, speed, balance, and explosive power.

Shot Size By Age Group

In the official competition, the men's shot put weighs 7.26 kg and has a diameter of 11-13 cm; the women's shot put weighs 4 kg and has a diameter of 9.5-11 cm. Here are details for shot sizing per age group.

Conclusion

There is a big range of shot puts available. In outdoor competition, shots must be made of brass or a harder metal. For the indoor competition, the shot put must be made of plastic with a metal shell containing metal pellets. At larger competitions, officials check whether shots meet the specified minimum and maximum diameters for each weight class. The above size charts show the minimum weight per age group, and you can surely use a bigger weight if you want to.