The women's shot put field event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 4 & 7.

Nadezhda Chizhova was very disappointed with her bronze medal finish in 1968 Olympics.

The only threat for the gold medal came from Margitta Gummel the defending Olympic Champion.

[1] All throwers reaching 16.20 m (53 ft 2 in) and the top 12 including ties, advanced to the finals.

Key: WR = world record; p = pass; x = fault