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Back to Athlete Bios
Athlete Bio

George Woods

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 2/11/1943

Athletics Information

Event: Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Portageville, Missouri High School: Sikeston High School College: Southern Illinois University

1x

National Indoor champion

Current Accomplishments

Personal Best

Filter Results

Shot Put

EventPerformance
EventShot PutPerformance21.63

Shot Put Indoors

EventPerformance
EventShot Put IndoorsPerformance22.02

Known for his competitive nature and ability to throw well on the biggest stages, George Woods was an accomplished and consistent performer throughout his career. A three-time Olympian, Woods won the silver medal in the men's shot put in 1968 and again in 1972, after winning the Olympic Trials both years. Woods, who won the USA indoor shot put title five times, set six world indoor records, with five of them coming in 1974. While at Southern Illinois University, Woods was the 1966 NCAA indoor shot put champion. More than 30 years after achieving his personal best throw of 22.02 meters/72 feet 3 inches, Woods is still the #6 indoor performer in history. He was ranked top ten on six occasions by Track & Field News, and #1 in 1972.

Events
Shot Put - 22.02 m (indoor)

Records Held
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 21.27 m (February 23, 1973)
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 21.30 m (January 26, 1974)
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 21.45 m (February 1, 1974)
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 21.47 m (February 8, 1974)
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 21.56 m (February 8, 1974)
World Record (indoor): Shot Put - 22.02 m (February 8, 1974)

Championships
1968 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 20.12 m (2nd)
1972 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 20.25 m (2nd)
1965 USA Indoor Championships: Shot Put - 19.16 m (1st)
1967 USA Indoor Championships: Shot Put - 19.49 m (1st)
1968 Olympic Trials: Shot Put - 20.73 m (1st)
1968 USA Indoor Championships: Shot Put - 20.20 m (1st)
1969 USA Indoor Championships: Shot Put - 19.49 m (1st)
1972 Olympic Trials: Shot Put - 21.37 m (1st)
1973 USA Indoor Championships: Shot Put - 21.27 m (1st)
1966 NCAA Indoor: Shot Put - 18.67 m (1st)

Occupations
Admissions Counselor & Academic Advisor at SIU




 

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