Kuulantyönnön

Kuulantyönnön, in Finnish often referred to with the genitive form kuulantyönnön, is the track and field event commonly known in English as the shot put. In this discipline athletes attempt to throw a heavy metal ball, called the shot, as far as possible from a circular throwing area into a defined sector.

Equipment and setup: The shot weighs 7.26 kilograms for men and 4 kilograms for women; lighter shots are used in youth divisions. The throwing circle has a diameter of 2.135 meters with a toe board at the front. The throwing sector extends 34.92 degrees from the center of the circle. Distances are measured from the inner edge of the circle to the point where the shot first lands, along the flight line, within the sector.

Techniques: Two main throwing styles are used at high levels—the glide and the rotational (spin) technique. In both, the thrower uses the legs, torso, and arm to generate power and releases the shot with one hand at an optimal angle, typically around 35 to 45 degrees. Release height and rotational speed influence distance, as does the placement of the shot against the neck or shoulder before release.

Rules and competition format: In senior competitions, athletes usually receive six attempts, with the best valid throw counting. A throw is foul if the thrower steps out of the circle, the shot lands outside the sector, or the release does not occur within the circle. Valid throws must land within the designated landing area and be measured from the circle to the first ground contact.

History and records: Modern kuulantyöntö developed in the 19th century in Europe and became part of the Olympic program for men in 1896 and for women in 1948. The men’s world record is 23.37 meters, set by Ryan Crouser in 2021, and the women’s world record is 22.63 meters, set by Natalya Lisovskaya in 1987.