American · Harrisburg, USA · Born 28 June 1989Two-time world champion, three-time Olympic silver medallist.
Joseph Mathias Kovacs was born on 28 June 1989 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and excelled at Bethlehem Catholic High School before competing collegiately at Penn State University, developing into one of the finest shot putters in American history. Kovacs won his first world title at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, defeating two-time defending champion David Storl of Germany, and went on to become a two-time world champion after winning again in 2019. Kovacs won Olympic silver on three separate occasions, at the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Games, each time finishing behind compatriot Ryan Crouser, and set his outdoor personal best of 23.23 metres in 2022, the second-best throw in the event's history. Kovacs has continued to compete at the top level of world shot put well into his thirties, coached throughout his career by his wife, Ashley, and remains one of the most consistently excellent throwers of his generation despite Crouser's era-defining dominance denying him Olympic gold.
Shot Put
How They Played
Powerful thrower with excellent technique and consistency
Lasting Impact
One of America's greatest shot putters with consistent world-level performances
Career Honours
- 2015,2019 World champ shot put
- 2016,2020,2024 Olympic silver
American Athletes