Aleksandr Baryshnikov

Aleksandr Baryshnikov was the first internationally prominente shot putter to use the spin technique pioneered by his coach Viktor Alekseyev, which later became the dominant style used by top putters. Baryshnikov rose to prominence in the early 1970s and was the first athlete to break the 22-metre barrier, when he set a world record of 22.00 a month before the 1976 Olympics.

At the Olympics, though, Baryshnikov only won a bronze medal, improving to a silver at the 1980 Olympics. He also competed at the 1972 Olympics, where he did not advance out of qualifying. At the European Championships, Baryshnikov was third in 1978 and fourth in 1974. At the European Indoor Championships, he won a silver in 1983 and a bronze in 1976. He also won bronze at the 1973 Universiade. Baryshnikov won Soviet titles in 1972-74 and 1978.

Personal Best: SP – 22.00 (1976).