RB
Ron Backes

Ron Backes

USAUSAMen
Birth dateFeb 19, 1963
BirthplaceSt. Cloud, United States
Height1.90 m
Weight122 kg

Ron Backes is an American retired shot putter born on February 18, 1963, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Standing 190 cm tall and weighing 122 kg, he was one of America's top throwers during the 1980s.

Competing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Backes won the 1986 shot put at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 21.01 metres. This victory showcased his talent among collegiate throwers.

His personal best of 21.02 metres was achieved in May 1988 in San Jose, establishing him as an elite-level shot putter capable of competing at the highest levels of American athletics.

Key facts
Shot Put
21.02
#188 all-time
1996 season best
19.70
May 5, 1996 · Minneapolis, MN (USA)
1996 season best
Age
63 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: Shot Put 21.02 (#188 all-time), 1996 season best 19.70 (May 5, 1996, Minneapolis, MN (USA)) · 63 years old

PB

Personal bests

21.02
#188 all-time
59.90

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1996
SP
19.70-May 5, 1996
↓
Minneapolis, MN (USA)
1992
SP
20.86-Jun 10, 1992
↓
Minneapolis, MN (USA)
1991
SP
20.45-Feb 22, 1991
↓
Princeton, NJ (USA) (i)
1990
SP
20.62-May 20, 1990
↓
São Paulo (BRA)
1989
SP
20.26-Feb 24, 1989
↓
Princeton, NJ (USA) (i)
1988
SP
21.02-May 28, 1988
↓
San José (USA)
1987
SP
20.92-Jan 24, 1987
↓
Minneapolis, MN (USA) (i)
1986
SP
21.01-Mar 15, 1986
↓
Oklahoma City, OK (USA) (i)
1986
DT
59.90-Apr 11, 1986-Knoxville, TN (USA)
1985
SP
20.25-May 19, 1985
↓
Evanston, IL (USA)
1984
SP
19.58-Jun 2, 1984
↓
Eugene NCAA Championships

1996

5 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
19.67-Jun 15USA Championships, Atlanta, GA
SP
18.71-Jun 1San José Bruce Jenner Classic, San José
SP
18.84-May 11Minneapolis, MN
SP
19.70-May 5Minneapolis, MN
SP
19.40-Mar 2USA Indoor Championships, Atlanta, GA (i)

1992

5 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
19.40-Aug 19Weltklasse Zürich, Zürich
SP
19.71-Jul 31The XXV Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Barcelona
SP
19.75-Jul 31The XXV Olympic Games, Estadio Olímpico, Barcelona
SP
20.77-Jun 27New Orleans US Olympic Trials, New Orleans, LA
SP
20.86-Jun 10Minneapolis, MN

1991

7 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
19.34-Aug 31IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Tokyo
SP
19.05-Aug 30IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Tokyo
SP
19.05-Aug 24IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Tokyo
SP
19.34-Aug 24IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Tokyo
SP
19.07-Jul 10Athletissima Lausanne, Lausanne
SP
20.06-Mar 8IAAF World Indoor Championships
SP
20.45-Feb 22Princeton, NJ (i)

1990

12 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.30-Sep 7Athina GPF, Athina
SP
20.13-Aug 19Köln
SP
19.31-Aug 15Weltklasse Zürich, Zürich
SP
20.15-Aug 8Sestriere
SP
19.66-Jul 21Seattle Goodwill Games, Seattle, WA
SP
20.57-Jul 14Minneapolis, MN
SP
19.75-Jul 12Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne
SP
19.45-Jun 28Villeneuve d'Ascq Meeting BNP, Villeneuve d'Ascq
SP
20.35-Jun 16Norwalk TAC Championships, Norwalk, CA
SP
20.12-May 30Sevilla
SP
20.14-May 26San José
SP
20.62-May 20Sao Paulo, São Paulo

1989

7 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.17-Aug 10Grosseto
SP
19.88-Jun 16Houston TAC Championships, Houston, TX
SP
20.17-Jun 10Westwood, CA
SP
19.40-May 27San José
SP
20.26-Feb 24Princeton, NJ (i)
SP
20.25-Feb 24USA Indoor Championships
SP
19.29-Feb 3Millrose Games, New York, NY (i)

1988

14 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
SP
20.25-Sep 3Athina
SP
19.96-Aug 26Berlin ISTAF
SP
20.22-Aug 23Bern
SP
19.66-Aug 21Köln
SP
19.60-Aug 19Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme, Bruxelles
SP
19.97-Aug 17Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich
SP
19.72-Aug 15Linz
SP
19.80-Aug 12Budapest
SP
20.61-Jul 29Edinburgh
SP
20.62-Jul 15Indianapolis US Olympic Trials, Indianapolis, IN
SP
21.02-May 28San José
SP
20.14-Apr 16Minneapolis, MN
SP
20.82-Feb 26USA Indoor Championships
SP
19.80-Feb 13East Rutherford, NJ (i)
Showing 1 - 50 of 65

Honours

8

IAAF World Championships

Shot Put

1991
🥉

IAAF World Indoor Championships

Shot Put

1991
🥈

Berlin ISTAF

Shot Put

1988
🥇

USA Indoor Championships

Shot Put

1988
🥉

Zagreb Universiade

Shot Put

1987
6

IAAF World Indoor Championships

Shot Put

1987
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Ron Backes's Shot Put personal best?

Ron Backes's Shot Put personal best is 21.02, set on May 28, 1988 in San José (USA), #188 on the all-time list.

Which events does Ron Backes compete in?

Ron Backes competes in the Shot Put.

How did Ron Backes perform in 1996?

1996 season best: 19.70, set on May 5, 1996 in Minneapolis, MN (USA).