My Story

JOE KOVACS

"Make a career from losing, because that's where you learn to win." - JK
Joe Kovacs was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Of course, it's important to clarify this, otherwise, it could be an introduction for someone of much higher power. In his family, he is known as 'Little Joey' because his father bore the name Joseph. Unfortunately, his father Joseph passed away after a tough battle with cancer when Joe was only seven years old. This tragedy was accompanied by another devastating blow; the day after his father's passing, his maternal grandmother also passed away. Joe states, "It was the worst time in my life, but I had my mom, and she always prioritized me in her thoughts and actions." Joe further remarked, “As I grew older, I realized that my mom went through all of that and didn’t have her own mom there to provide the support she was to me; my mom is the strongest person I have ever met.”
During his upbringing, Joe was active in and attended Holy Family Parish and school. He considers himself fortunate to have been surrounded by such a supportive community of family and friends. Subsequently, Joe decided to attend Bethlehem Catholic High School, where he discovered his initial passion for sports through football. Reflecting on his freshman year, Joe recalls, “I think I was the weakest one in the weight room; I couldn’t even bench the bar with weights!” Determined to improve, he committed himself to off-season training and was encouraged to join the Track and Field team. Initially interested in focusing on the 100m sprint and jumps to enhance his speed for football, Joe's attention shifted when he noticed older students practicing throwing heavy balls and plates in the parking lot. Intrigued, he joined the throws squad, which led to a pivotal moment. Joe's mother observed him throwing the shot put for the first time as she was picking him up from school. Recognizing the incorrect technique, she decided to step in and offer guidance. The head coach took notice and asked her to become the school's throws coach. From that point on, Joe's mother, Joanna, took on the additional role of being a coach in his life.
Joe initially adopted the “Glide” technique in shot put and later attended a summer track clinic. At the clinic, he encountered a large individual who impressed him with his exceptional shot put throws. This individual turned out to be Reese Hoffa, who would go on to win a World Championship and an Olympic Medal. Reese shared some drills with Joe to help him improve. Joe and his mother decided to seek further guidance from a prominent throws coach in Harrisburg named Glenn Thompson. Glenn had coached talented throwers like Ryan Whiting during their high school years. Despite the long commute, Joanna and Joe would make the journey every Sunday to train with Glenn. Joe emphasizes, “Glenn not only helped me see the next level, but he also guided me there.” By the end of his high school career, Joe had achieved the title of All-State in football and emerged as the champion in both Shot Put and Discus events in the PIAA state meet.
Subsequently, Joe pursued higher education at Penn State, where he was initially coached by Danna Wagner during his freshman year. After the first year, Dana stepped down from coaching and was replaced by T.J. Crater. Joe considers himself fortunate that T.J. took over as the coach because they had a strong rapport. Throughout his time at Penn State, Joe also had the invaluable support of his close friend and training partner, Blake Eaton. Reflecting on his collegiate career, Joe acknowledges, “Looking back, I am even more grateful to T.J. because he tolerated the chip on my shoulder that stemmed from my low scholarship. Yet, he wasn't responsible for that situation.” Although T.J. left Penn State before Joe's senior year, Joe attributes his successful final season to the groundwork they had laid in the preceding years.
Joe concluded his tenure at Penn State as a four-time All-American, a record holder for the school, and a graduate with a degree in Energy Business and Finance. He regards his college career as solid but not exceptional, remarking, “I wasn't a stellar thrower. I had some commendable performances, but I struggled to piece everything together.” His last appearance in a Penn State jersey was at the 2012 Olympic Trials, where he secured fourth place as the Olympic alternate. Unconventionally pleased with this position, Joe recalls, “Most individuals might be disheartened by fourth place, but I was elated because I wasn't even sure I'd make it to the final.”
The week following the trials, Joe embarked on his professional career at the Diamond League in Paris. Although he had job interviews lined up for the subsequent week, he faced a critical decision. He could either end his athletic journey there and live with the lingering question of "what if I had thrown just 20cm farther and made the team?" Or, he could allow that drive to motivate him to strive for the next opportunity. Joe chose the latter path, canceling his interviews and actively seeking a coach who could elevate his performance. Compiling a list of top throwing coaches, he noticed a trend – many of them had connections to UCLA and a coach named Venegas. Following a recommendation from coach Don Babbitt, Joe contacted Art Venegas, a renowned figure in shot put coaching.
Joe recalls his initial conversation with Coach Venegas, stating, “Within five minutes of talking on the phone, I was convinced I should book a plane ticket to meet him at the Olympic Training Center in California. And within five minutes of meeting him in person, I was convinced I needed to relocate across the country to be coached by him. It was the best decision I've ever made.”
On January 1st, 2013, Joe became a full-time resident at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Reflecting on his decision, Joe explains, “It felt like a step back in some ways because I had to share a small bedroom with twin beds smaller than my freshman dorm room. Yet, it was a leap forward because everything I needed was there: food, a weight room, sunny weather, an excellent training group, massages, and the world's best shot put coach.” While some cautioned Joe against working with Venegas, describing him as a strict and demanding coach with an uncompromising approach, Joe embraced this perspective. He found solace in having a proven coach who would provide clear guidance, especially after a season without proper coaching. Joe's roommate and training partner, Eric Werskey, played a significant role in his day-to-day training, helping Joe interpret and implement Venegas' instructions.
Under Coach Venegas' expert guidance, Joe achieved remarkable milestones. He secured the Gold Medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships, the 2015 Diamond League Championship, the 2016 Olympic Silver Medal, and the Silver Medal at the 2017 IAAF World Championships. Notably, he elevated his personal record from 69 feet to 74 feet. Joe acknowledges that he plans to continue being coached by Venegas for the foreseeable future.
A Move for Love In the fall of 2017, Joe relocated to Columbus, OH, to be with his girlfriend at the time, Ashley Muffet. Ashley served as a coach at Ohio State University, and Joe intended to train there after his move. A few months later, in February, Joe proposed to Ashley on Gapstow Bridge in Central Park, New York City. In November 2018, Joe and Ashley tied the knot in Ashley's hometown of North Canton, OH. Joe candidly admits that he went through the motions in 2018, as his focus was not solely on shot put. By February 2019, Ashley took on a more significant coaching and consulting role in Joe's training. Despite a few challenges, Joe and Ashley managed to build up to what is now considered one of the greatest shot put competitions of all time.
An article by Sports Illustrated writer Chris Chavez reflects on Joe's thoughts during the 2019 World Championship competition:
Tom Walsh opened the event with a 75-foot throw – the farthest throw I've ever witnessed in a meet. It didn't rattle me. The me from 2015, a world champion, or the me from 2016/2017, a silver medalist, would have been completely shaken. I would've lost focus due to the intensity of that battle, rather than concentrating on my own performance. The analogies we discussed during the week all centered around staying focused, much like a horse wearing blinders. This helped me remain in the zone.
Approaching my final throw in Doha, my goal wasn't to win the meet, which might sound strange. I had a productive week of training and was targeting my personal best at the time of 74 feet. I had achieved that distance twice during practice in the preceding week. I was confident in my shape and wanted to set a personal record, aiming for a medal.
However, that would've only secured a bronze due to the fierce competition. My objective was to replicate our practice sessions. I recognized that in the sixth round, extraordinary performances often occur. Someone typically surprises everyone. I made sure not to be affected by this possibility. Unexpectedly, I turned out to be that person who surpassed expectations. I remained aware of the meet dynamics, but I refused to get caught up in it. My focus was on gradually extending my lead.
I recall seeing Dan O'Brien commentating from the ground. We made eye contact as I paced back and forth. He seemed to anticipate something significant. When the shot left my hand, it seemed like I was celebrating a victory. Due to the excitement and intensity of the moment, the shot sailed a remarkable 75 feet. My intent was to achieve what I had envisioned, and my exuberant reaction was a reflection of that. Turning around and seeing the scoreboard read 22.91 and first place – just one centimeter more – prompted an even more ecstatic reaction.
It was the most exultant scream I've ever let out, even without knowing the result. I've shouted during countless throws, often with a sense of where they were headed. Typically, not all competitors throw over 74 feet in a meet, so hitting a 71 or 72-foot throw can lead to a victory. However, this time, I screamed louder than ever before. Even if the throw had landed a centimeter short, my grin would have been just as wide. We achieved the goal, and that's why I was celebrating so wildly.
Celebrating with His Wife My first instinct was to approach my wife, as that had been the objective all along. I shouted, ‘I love you’ to her. It was an incredible moment. I referred to her as my North Star because she provided me with a broader perspective, allowing me to see everything clearly. And we did it. These thoughts flooded my mind immediately.
Experiencing the frustration and doubt from the previous year and then making a triumphant return – that was the real story for us. While everyone talks about the statistical significance of the competition, my wife and I, along with my mother and stepfather who were present in February when I was coaching an athlete who outperformed me, hold a unique perspective. Witnessing that full circle, having them with me in Doha – that's an experience that will always remain with me."