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.[2] 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.
Track and field career
In his first year as a professional, Kovacs was sponsored by Nike, Inc. He missed the podium with a 4th-place finish in the United States Olympic Trials with a best throw of 21.08m/69-2, placed 4th at the NCAADivision I outdoor championships with a best throw of 19.58 m (65–1.5 feet), but won the shot put at the Big 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]
As a guest competitor at the UCLA hosted Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational on April 11, 2015, Kovacs improved his personal best (though not a stadium record) with a 22.35 m (73 ft 3+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 ft 2+1⁄4 in). After winning his second National Championship in June, Kovacs improved again, adding another 21 cm to throw 22.56 m (74 ft 0 in) at the Herculis meet in Monaco.[8] That throw moved him past four Americans to the number 8 performer in history and the best throw since 2003.
On July 1, 2016, Kovacs qualified for his first Olympic team by finishing in second place at the Olympic 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 teammate Ryan Crouser, who threw an Olympic Record 22.52 meters (73 feet 11 inches).[9] On Oct 5, 2019, Kovacs won the gold medal at the Outdoor 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.
Personal life
Kovacs is married to former collegiate shot-putter and Vanderbilt throwing coach Ashley Kovacs (Muffet). In 2019, Ashley began coaching Joe professionally.[10]
Kovacs is of Hungarian origin and has identified himself as a Hungarian-American.[11]
