Joe is among the greatest shot putters of all time, having won two Olympic silver medals (2016, 2020), two world championships golds (2015, 2019), two world championships silvers (2017, 2022) and one world championships bronze (2023). Put another way, Joe has contested every major outdoor international championships since 2015 and never failed to win a medal.
It may not be surprising that Joe’s personal best throw of 23.23m/76-2¾, which he set in 2022, is the second farthest of all time, exceeded only by the mammoth 23.56m/77-3¾ world record of US teammate, Ryan Crouser. Of the 10 farthest throws in history, Crouser owns eight and Kovacs two.
At the US Trials, Crouser prevailed (22.84m/74-11¼ to Joe’s 22.43m/73-7¼), setting the stage for what is certain to be an epic battle in Paris. Joe lives and trains in Tennessee with his wife, Ashley, who is also his coach, and their two children. Ashley is also part of Team USA, having been selected as the women’s throws coach.
Paris Result:
Silver medal, 22.15m/73-10.