 Kovacs in June 2016 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Mathias Kovacs |
| Born | (1989-06-28)June 28, 1989 (age 36) Nazareth, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 295 lb (134 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Country | United States |
| Sport | Track and field |
Event | Shot put |
| College team | Penn State (2008–2012) |
| Coached by | Ashley Kovacs |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personalbests | |
Joseph Mathias Kovacs (/ˈkoʊvæks/KOH-vaks; born June 28, 1989)[1] is an Americantrack and field athlete who competes in theshot put and has a personal record of 23.23 meters outdoors and 22.05 meters indoors. He won gold medals at the2015 and2019 World Championships. He won silver medals at the2017 World Championships,2016,2020, and2024 Summer Olympics. His personal best of 23.23 metres makes him the second best competitor all-time in the shot put event.
Kovacs was born inNazareth, Pennsylvania, on June 28, 1989. He excelled atBethlehem Catholic High School intrack and field, winningPIAA titles indiscus andshot 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.[2]
Kovacs attendedPennsylvania State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Earth and Mineral Science. He completed graduate classes in Counselor Education while participating on the Nittany Lions'track and field team.[citation needed]
In his first year as a professional, Kovacs was sponsored byNike, Inc. He missed the podium with a 4th-place finish in theUnited States Olympic Trials with a best throw of 21.08m/69-2, placed 4th at theNCAADivision I outdoor championships with a best throw of 19.58 m (65–1.5 feet), but won the shot put at theBig Ten Conference outdoor championships with a best throw of 20.85 m (68–5 feet). He enjoyed a success filled summer on the European track circuit with 2nd in Paris (20.44 meters, 67–0.75 feet); 2nd in Madrid (19.56 meters, 64–2.25 feet) and 6th in London (19.61 meters, 64–4 feet).
Kovacs, in his second year as a professional, threw a season best of 20.82 meters (68–3.75 feet)[3] at Tucson Elite Meet on May 18, 2013, which ranked him 6th in the US.[4]
Kovacs won theNew Balance Indoor Grand Prix with his first 70-foot throw. He then placed 3rd at theUSA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 70 ft 5.5 in (21.476 m).[5] On June 25, 2014, Joe Kovacs won the2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at a special venue in front of theCalifornia State Capitol, with a personal best of 22.03 m (72 ft 3 in), the top throw in the world for 2014.
As a guest competitor at the Rafer Johnso/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational atUCLA on April 11, 2015, Kovacs improved his personal best with a 22.35 m (73 ft3+3⁄4 in)[6] to again take the early season world lead, by almost a full meter at the time. It was the farthest throw in the world since 2010 and ranked him as the No. 12 performer of all time.[7] He backed that up with his following throw over 21.70 m (71 ft2+1⁄4 in). After winning his secondNational Championship in June, Kovacs improved again, adding another 21 cm to throw 22.56 m (74 ft 0 in) at theHerculis meet inMonaco.[8] That throw moved him past four Americans to thenumber 8 performer in history and the best throw since 2003.
In July 2016, Kovacs qualified for his first Olympic team by finishing in second place at theOlympic Trials. He then won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics with a throw of 21.78 meters (71 feet 5 inches). He finished behind teammateRyan Crouser, who threw an Olympic Record 22.52 meters (73 feet 11 inches).[9] On Oct 5, 2019, Kovacs won the gold medal at theOutdoor World Championships with a 22.91 meter Shot Put on his final throw of the event. He was coached by his wife and they are featured in an Olympic Channel feature commercial together.
Joe Kovacs placed 3rd at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest.
Kovacs won silver medal in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, behind team mate Ryan Crouser.
Kovacs is of Hungarian descent and is a Hungarian-American.[10] He isCatholic.[11][12]
Kovacs is married to former collegiate shot-putter andVanderbilt throwing coach Ashley Kovacs (née Muffet). In 2019, Ashley began coaching Joe professionally.[13]
|
 Diamond League champions in men's shot put | |
|---|---|
|
| Qualification |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Men's track and road athletes |
| |
| Men's field athletes | ||
| Women's track and road athletes |
| |
| Women's field athletes | ||
| Coaches |
| |
| Medical Staff |
| |
