Former world shot put record holder Terry Albritton died September 1 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He was 50.

Known as a free-spirit, Albritton set the men's shot put world record at the age of 21 when he threw 21.85 meters/71 feet, 8.50 inches at an all- comers meet in Honolulu.

In addition to winning the NCAA Outdoor shot put title in 1977 and indoor crown in 1976, Albritton won national outdoor shot put titles in 1976 and 1977. The national indoor champion in 1974 and 1976, Albritton won the bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.

Albritton entered Stanford in 1973 on a football scholarship, where he also competed in track. He eventually gave up football and sat out a year before enrolling at the University of Hawaii. He set the shot put world record a few months prior to the school dropping track and field. He later enrolled back at Stanford, where he graduated in 1977. He is a member of Stanford's athletic Hall of Fame.

1976 Olympic discus throw gold medalist Mac Wilkins spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle about Albritton. "Terry was a creative, different- thinking type of guy and I appreciated that," he said. He was easy-going and he was real accepting of everybody. There's another side of him that reminds me of Uncle Duke in Donnesbury. He smoked and he was always scheming about things. Uncle Duke is a take-off on Hunter S. Thompson. That comes from his creative background."

The cause of Albritton's death is unclear. According to the San Francisco Chronicle one story claimed that a heart attack was the cause, while the Cambodian government listed asthma.

Albritton is survived by sons Shane and Thomas, sisters Lorelei Davies and Marla Ramirez Albritton, a grandson and nephew.