Mens Shot Put Final | 03 Aug 24 | |||||
Joseph Mathias Kovacs (born June 28, 1989) is an American track and field athlete who competes in the shot put and has a personal record of 23.23 meters outdoors and 22.05 meters indoors. He won gold medals at the 2015 and 2019 World Championships. He won silver medals at the 2017 World Championships, 2016, 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. His personal best of 23.23 metres makes him the second best competitor all-time in the shot put event.
Early life and education
Kovacs was born in Nazareth, Pennsylvania on June 28, 1989. He excelled at Bethlehem Catholic High School in track and field, winning PIAA titles in discus and shot put during his senior season. The winning shot put mark of 64 ft 10.75 in (19.7803 m) is the PIAA Class AA state record. He attended Pennsylvania State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Earth and Mineral Science. He completed graduate classes in Counselor Education while pursuing track and field.