The women's shot put at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Olympic Stadium on August 16.
Having set a world-leading and Oceanian record of 20.69 m in May, Valerie Vili was a strong favourite and defending champion.
Former world champion Nadezhda Ostapchuk, Olympic medallist Nadine Kleinert and Gong Lijiao were other athletes who had a chance of reaching the podium.
[1] Home competitor Kleinert took an early lead with a new personal best of 20.06 m. In the second round, Gong moved up into second place with 19.89 m, a personal best that eventually won her the bronze medal.
Key: PB = Personal best, Q = qualification by place in heat, q = qualification by overall place Key: PB = Personal best