Heino Puuste (born September 7, 1955) is a retired javelin thrower who represented the USSR and later Estonia. He finished fourth at both the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 1983 World Championships, and won a silver medal at the 1982 European Championships. He also won bronze medals at the Universiade in 1979 and 1981. On May 6, 1983, he threw at Birmingham a new Soviet record of 94.20 meters, eclipsing the old mark (and former world record) of 93.80 by Jānis Lūsis. This record was never beaten as increasing distances and frequent flat or ambiguous landings prompted a change to a new javelin design, effective starting in 1986.[1] Puuste later became an athletics coach, most notably coaching the 2005 javelin throw world champion Andrus Värnik.[2]
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jüri Poljans |
Estonian Sportsman of the Year 1982 – 1983 |
Succeeded by Tiit Haagma |
| Preceded by Riho Suun |
Estonian Sportsman of the Year 1986 |
Succeeded by Jaan Ehlvest |