Kovacs' Moment

Published by SPIKES on June 12, 2015

Joe Kovacs currently tops the 2015 shot put world standings after throwing a PB 22.35m in early April. As the 25-year-old American sets his sights on the world champs in Beijing, we take a look at the moments that have made him the thrower he is today.

Out of adversity

Born and raised in the Pennsylvanian city of Bethlehem, Joe Kovacs suffered a devastating double tragedy aged just seven. His father died in Germany of cancer and the following day his maternal grandfather also passed away. 

“It was a tough one-two punch being a young kid,” Kovacs recalls. “We were in Germany at the time, but it was toughest on my mum because she lost both a husband and mother. We grew even closer because of that.”

Kovacs’ mother, Joanna, later became his high school shot put coach. 

Not your average Joe

Kovacs has not always been the big strong beast he is today. When he arrived at high school as an American football-playing freshman, he realised that most of the other kids were stronger than him. He knew he needed to change to compete, and by working hard in the gym as part of the macho football environment he was able to complete a transformation that would have lasting – if unintended – consequences.