Objective To compare rotational techniques used by Chinese and world elite men’s shot put athletes, so as to provide scientific references for Chinese male shot putters to improve their sports performance and results in international competitions. Methods Three-dimensional (3D) kinematics data from Chinese male shot putters in actual competitions were obtained, and kinematic parameters of Chinese and world elite men’s shot put athletes were calculated and compared. Namely, shot velocities and hip-shoulder separation angles at five critical instants of rotational techniques: right foot off, left foot off, right foot touchdown, left foot touchdown and release, as well as phase durations and shot travel distances during four critical phases: first single support, air-born flight, second single support and final delivery. ResultsCompared with world elite athletes, Chinese male shot putters using rotational techniques had significantly lower vertical release velocity, longer air-borne duration, smaller hip-shoulder separation angles at left foot off and touchdown instant, and longer shot travel distance during air-borne flight, but shorter shot travel distance during final shot delivery. Conclusions The difference in lower extremity strength is a primary casue leading to different sports performance between Chinese and world elite male shot putters. The technique differences in Chinese and world elite male shot putters mainly lie in different phase timing and shot travel distances during different techinique phases.