RM
Randy Matson

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author—Public domain

Randy Matson

USAUSAMen
Birth dateMar 5, 1945
BirthplaceKilgore, United States
Height1.99 m
Weight127 kg

James Randel "Randy" Matson (born March 5, 1945) is an American track and field athlete who mostly competed in the shot put. Matson won a silver medal at the 1964 and a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics.

Key facts
Shot Put
21.78
#63 all-time
Discus Throw
65.16
#276 all-time
1976 season best
19.42
Mar 27, 1976 · Dallas, TX (USA) (i)
1976 season best
Medals
Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver
Age
81 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: Shot Put 21.78 (#63 all-time), Discus Throw 65.16 (#276 all-time), 1976 season best 19.42 (Mar 27, 1976, Dallas, TX (USA) (i)) · Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver · 81 years old

PB

Personal bests

21.78
#63 all-time
65.16
#276 all-time
🏅

Medals

🥇🥈🥉Total
Olympic Games11-2

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1976
SP
19.42-Mar 27, 1976
↑
Dallas, TX (USA) (i)
1975
SP
21.26-Apr 11, 1975
↑
Portland, OR (USA) (i)
1974
SP
21.37-May 10, 1974
↑
Atlanta, GA (USA) (i)
1973
SP
20.77-May 25, 1973
↑
Salt Lake City, UT (USA) (i)
1972
SP
21.19-Jun 16, 1972
↑
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
1971
SP
20.93-Apr 3, 1971
↑
San Francisco, CA (USA) (i)
1970
SP
21.75-May 30, 1970
↑
Berkeley, CA (USA)
1968
SP
21.30-Apr 27, 1968
↑
Walnut, CA (USA)
1967
SP
21.78-Apr 22, 1967
↑
College Station, TX (USA)
1967
DT
65.16-Apr 8, 1967-College Station, TX (USA)
1966
SP
21.09-May 13, 1966
↑
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
1965
SP
21.52-May 8, 1965
↑
College Station, TX (USA)
1964
SP
20.20-Oct 17, 1964
↑
National Stadium, Tokyo (JPN)

1976

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
19.42-Mar 27Dallas, TX (i)

1975

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.26-Apr 11Portland, OR (i)
SP
20.88-Apr 4Daly City, CA (i)

1974

4 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.36-May 29New York, NY (i)
SP
21.36-May 10Atlanta, GA (i)
SP
21.37-May 10Atlanta, GA (i)
SP
21.07-Apr 20Portland, OR (i)

1973

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.77-May 25Salt Lake City, UT (i)

1972

4 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.04-Jul 7Eugene US Olympic Trials, Eugene, OR
SP
21.19-Jun 16Seattle AAU Championships, Seattle, WA
SP
21.19-Jun 9Los Angeles, CA
SP
21.09-Apr 8Austin, TX

1971

10 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.77-Jun 11Wichita, KS
SP
20.81-Apr 17Lawrence, KS
SP
20.93-Apr 3Austin Texas Relays, Austin, TX
SP
20.83-Feb 19San Diego, CA (i)
SP
20.83-Feb 13Oakland, CA (i)
SP
20.72-Feb 12Los Angeles, CA (i)
SP
20.83-Feb 6Fort Worth, TX (i)
SP
20.79-Jan 30Portland, OR (i)
SP
20.72-Jan 23Albuquerque, NM (i)
SP
20.93-Jan 22San Francisco, CA (i)

1970

4 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.75-May 30Berkeley, CA
SP
21.23-May 23Modesto, CA
SP
21.00-May 16-
SP
21.02-Apr 25-

1968

5 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.54-Oct 14The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
SP
20.68-Oct 13The XIX Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Ciudad de México
SP
20.44-Jun 29Los Angeles, CA
SP
21.05-Jun 7Los Angeles, CA
SP
21.30-Apr 27Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA

1967

9 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
19.87-Oct 16Ciudad de México Pre-Olympic Meeting, Ciudad de México
SP
20.39-Jun 23Bakersfield AAU Championships, Bakersfield, CA
SP
21.34-May 26Beaumont, TX
SP
21.78-Apr 22College Station, TX
SP
21.09-Apr 15Albuquerque, NM
SP
21.47-Apr 8College Station, TX
DT
65.16-Apr 8College Station, TX
SP
21.52-Feb 11Dallas, TX (i)
SP
21.08-Feb 10Fort Worth, TX (i)

1966

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.09-May 13Los Angeles, CA

1965

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
21.52-May 8College Station, TX
SP
21.05-Apr 30Austin, TX (i)

1964

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
18.92-Oct 17The XVIII Olympic Games, National Stadium, Tokyo
SP
20.20-Oct 17The XVIII Olympic Games, National Stadium, Tokyo

Honours

🥇

The XIX Olympic Games

Shot Put

1968
🥈

The XVIII Olympic Games

Shot Put

1964
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Randy Matson's Shot Put personal best?

Randy Matson's Shot Put personal best is 21.78, set on Apr 22, 1967 in College Station, TX (USA), #63 on the all-time list.

Which events does Randy Matson compete in?

Randy Matson competes in the Shot Put and Discus Throw.

How did Randy Matson perform in 1976?

1976 season best: 19.42, set on Mar 27, 1976 in Dallas, TX (USA) (i).

How many medals has Randy Matson won?

Randy Matson has won 2 Olympic Games medals.