Who is Credited with the Spin Technique in Shot Put?

With the passing of Dick Fosbury on March 12, 2023, I asked myself who was the first modern era person to radically change the Shot Put Glide technique?

Who better to ask than Shaun Pickering?

So I started a WhatsApp chat with him, but sadly Shaun passed away on May 12, 2023.

The conversation below is “unfinished”, sort of like The Beatles “Free as a Bird”. So full credit must be given to Shaun. One day, I’ll research this further, unless you are reading this and know the answer.

[Jimson] Who was the first modern era person to use the Spin Technique in the Shot Put (from the usual Glide)?

[Shaun Pickering] There was a USA Guy in early 1960’s that was playing around with it, but cannot remember his name at moment. I have film of him. [Jimson Edit: I think he’s referring to John McGrath, video below]

The one that brought it to world attention was (Aleksandr) Baryshnikov of Russia who was using it in 1972 and set WR in 1976, and won Olympic Bronze in 1976, but Brian Oldfield popularised it in US as was playing around with it in 1972 and then threw with technique in 1973 on professional ITA circuit.

I can’t remember the name of the guy in 60s that I have seen film of. Some people may have tried it in the 1950s but only caught on with Baryshnikov and Oldfield.

Brian Oldfield was the guy that popularised it as he was also such a character, and continued throwing far into his 40s. He has thrown 75 feet (22.86m) as a pro which was 3 feet further than official WR, then he was allowed back as Amateur in the 1980s and set US record of 22.19m in 1984 at age 38.

Everything came from him as he popularised it in US and most people started using it in US in mid/late 1980s, with Dave Laut, then John Godina and then on to Adam Nelson and Reece Hoffa.

READ Interview with John Godina, World Athletics Center founder & Elite Shot Putter

People started to figure it out in the early 1980s in USA

[Jimson] I’ll research this more in depth at a later stage, but until then, Rest in Peace, Shaun. You did good. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, please use this link below:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/shaunpickering

On Twitter:

Let's cast our minds back on Brian Oldfield as he catapults a huge wrap-up 22.75 on the back of a 22.25 a round earlier, thus turning the first man ever to put beyond 22m outdoors and by a long way, in the men's SP in El Paso, Texas, in May 1975 pic.twitter.com/z1DfhCFbqc
— Costas Goulas (@LsabreAvenger) March 22, 2023