USATF Masters Nationals qualifying standards for the shot put by age group. Implement weights are reduced in older age groups.
Standards shown by 5-year age group. You compete in the age group matching your age on the first day of competition.
| Age Group | Qualifying Standard | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| M35 | 15.00m | 49'2.5" |
| M40 | 14.00m | 45'11.25" |
| M45 | 13.00m | 42'7.75" |
| M50 | 12.50m | 41'0.25" |
| M55 | 11.50m | 37'8.75" |
| M60 | 11.00m | 36'1.25" |
| M65 | 10.00m | 32'9.75" |
| M70 | 9.00m | 29'6.25" |
| Age Group | Qualifying Standard | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| W35 | 13.00m | 42'7.75" |
| W40 | 12.00m | 39'4.5" |
| W45 | 11.00m | 36'1.25" |
| W50 | 10.50m | 34'5.5" |
| W55 | 9.50m | 31'2" |
| W60 | 9.00m | 29'6.25" |
| W65 | 8.00m | 26'3" |
| W70 | 7.00m | 22'11.75" |
Men: M35–M49 = 6kg, M50–M59 = 5kg, M60–M69 = 4kg, M70+ = 3kg. Women: W35–W49 = 4kg, W50–W59 = 3kg, W60+ = 2kg.
| Age Group | Men's Weight | Women's Weight |
|---|---|---|
| M35W35 | 6 kg (13.2 lbs) | 4 kg (8.8 lbs) |
| M40W40 | 6 kg (13.2 lbs) | 4 kg (8.8 lbs) |
| M45W45 | 6 kg (13.2 lbs) | 4 kg (8.8 lbs) |
| M50W50 | 5 kg (11 lbs) | 3 kg (6.6 lbs) |
| M55W55 | 5 kg (11 lbs) | 3 kg (6.6 lbs) |
| M60W60 | 4 kg (8.8 lbs) | 2 kg (4.4 lbs) |
| M65W65 | 4 kg (8.8 lbs) | 2 kg (4.4 lbs) |
| M70W70 | 3 kg (6.6 lbs) | 2 kg (4.4 lbs) |
| Athlete | Age Group | Mark | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Werner Günthör | M45 | 17.12m (56'2") | 2007 | Masters World Best |
| Kevin Akins | M55 | 18.61m (61'0.75") | 2015 | WMA World Record |
| Connie Price-Smith | W50 | 17.21m (56'5.75") | 2013 | WMA World Record |
| Yolanda Chen | W45 | 16.44m (53'11.25") | 2011 |
Masters shot putters often find that refined technique compensates for reduced peak strength with age. Athletes who invested early in glide or spin technique mechanics maintain better distances as they age than those who relied primarily on raw power in their open career.
Transitioning to a lighter implement as you enter a new age group can feel unfamiliar at first. Spend 4–6 weeks training with the new weight before major competitions to allow technique recalibration. Some athletes find they initially throw shorter before adapting.
Olympic lifts (power clean, push press), medicine ball rotational throws, and heavy compound movements preserve the explosive rotational power that drives shot put distance. Masters throwers who maintain strength training 2–3 times per week decline more slowly.
Footwork precision in the throwing circle becomes more important as peak power decreases. Drill-based circle work — focusing on foot positioning, weight transfer, and final delivery position — can offset some power losses with improved mechanics.
Masters throwers typically need 48–72 hours between high-intensity throwing sessions. Manage training volume carefully, prioritizing quality throws over quantity, and include at least one day of full rest per week.
Shot put is contested at USATF Masters Indoor Championships, giving throwers a year-round competition schedule. The indoor season provides excellent motivation and competition fitness heading into the outdoor championships.
Men in the M55 age group (55–59) use a 5 kg (11 lb) shot at USATF Masters Nationals. This is lighter than the 6 kg shot used by M35–M49 athletes.
The USATF Masters Nationals qualifying standard for the W45 shot put is 11.00m (36'1.25"), using the 4 kg (8.8 lb) shot for athletes aged 45–49.
Yes. Shot put is one of the few throwing events contested at both USATF Masters Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Indoor competition uses the same implement weights as outdoor for each age group.
Age grading adjusts your performance as a percentage of the world record for your age group using the specific implement weight for that group. This allows fair comparison across age groups despite different implement weights.
Use TrackThletics to monitor your Shot Put performances and track progress toward USATF Masters qualifying standards
Download Free on App Store