Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's shot put
The men's shot put field event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 8 & 9. The East German throwers were expected to pose a big challenge in these games, as well as the throwers from Poland. Brian Oldfield from the United States was the first person to use a new technique, a technique that is similar to the discus throwing style. The thrower uses a rotational spin before releasing the shot put.Results
All throwers reaching and the top 12 including ties advanced to the finals. Shown in blue. All distances are listed in metres.Qualifying
Final
Rank | Name | Nationality | Mark | 1st throw | 2nd throw | 3rd throw | 4th throw | 5th throw | 6th throw | Notes |
| Władysław Komar | | 21.18 | 21.18 | x | 20.55 | 20.74 | 20.80 | x | OR |
| George Woods | | 21.17 | 20.55 | 20.17 | 20.71 | 21.17 | 20.88 | 21.05 | - |
| Hartmut Briesenick | | 21.14 | 20.97 | 20.91 | 21.02 | 21.14 | 20.61 | 20.54 | - |
4 | Hans-Peter Gies | | 21.14 | 21.14 | 21.00 | 21.01 | 20.62 | x | x | - |
5 | Al Feuerbach | | 21.01 | 20.90 | 20.29 | x | 20.86 | 21.01 | 20.28 | - |
6 | Brian Oldfield | | 20.91 | 20.85 | 20.60 | 20.87 | 20.54 | 20.91 | 20.13 | - |
7 | Heinfried Birlenbach | | 20.37 | 20.37 | x | x | 19.89 | x | 20.13 | - |
8 | Vilmos Varjú | | 20.10 | 20.10 | x | x | x | 19.67 | 19.65 | - |
9 | Jaromír Vlk | | 20.09 | 19.66 | 20.09 | x | - | - | - | - |
10 | Jaroslav Brabec | | 19.86 | 19.61 | 19.86 | 19.60 | - | - | - | - |
11 | Heinz-Joachim Rothenburg | | 19.74 | 19.74 | x | x | - | - | - | - |
12 | Yves Brouzet | | 19.61 | 19.42 | 19.61 | 19.49 | - | - | - | - |
13 | Ralf Reichenbach | | 19.48 | 19.48 | x | x | - | - | - | - |
14 | Rimantas Plungė | | 19.30 | 19.30 | x | x | - | - | - | - |
15 | Lahcen Samsam Akka | | 19.11 | 19.11 | x | x | - | - | - | - |
16 | Seppo Simola | | 19.06 | 18.91 | 19.06 | x | - | - | - | - |
17 | Bruce Pirnie | | 18.90 | 18.90 | x | x | - | - | - | - |
18 | Traugott Glöckler | | 18.85 | 18.85 | 18.47 | x | - | - | - | - |
Key: p = pass; x = fault; NM = no mark; T = tied; DNS = did not start