Joe Kovacs is a professional shot putter and track and field athlete representing Team USA. His career includes participation in several World Championships, specifically competing in the men's shot put events in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023. Over the course of these championships, he has earned a total of five medals: two gold medals (2015 and 2019), two silver medals (2017 and 2022), and one bronze medal (2023).
In addition to his success at the World Championship level, Kovacs is also an accomplished Olympian with three appearances in the Olympic Games. He made his Olympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 where he won a silver medal in men’s shot put. He continued his play by securing another silver medal at the Tokyo Games in 2020, followed by yet another silver finish at the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024.
Kovacs had a breakout season in 2015 when he claimed titles including the USATF Outdoor Championship, World Outdoor Championship, and Diamond League Shot Put title. That year culminated with him achieving a world ranking of No.1 for men’s shot put globally.
Joe Kovacs Family Origin
Joe Kovacs hails from a family with origins in the United States, and he was born and raised in the country.
Who are Joe Kovacs Parents?
Joe Kovacs was born on June 28, 1989, in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to the late Joseph Kovacs and mother Joanna Kovacs. Joseph and Joanna were married in December 1985 after meeting at East Stroudsburg University. Both of Joe's parents were teachers.
Who is Joe Kovacs Mother?
Joanna Kovacs is Joe Kovacs's mother. Prior to her Joanna Kovacs teaching career, Joanna distinguished herself as an athlete, earning recognition as a 12-time district champion in the throwing events of discus, shot put, and javelin. In 1983, she was honored as her school's Ideal Female Athlete.
Who is Joe Kovacs Father?
The late Joseph Kovacs is Joe Kovacs's father. Tragically, Joe's father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 33. After battling the illness for several years, he passed away on July 14, 1997, two months after entering a coma in Germany. Following this Joe’s maternal grandmother, Mary Rampulla, passed away of heart failure just one day later. His mother Joanna remarried Larry Royer in 2015.
Who is Joe Kovacs' Wife?
Joe Kovacs is married to Ashley Kovacs, née Ashley Muffet. Ashley played shot put during her time at the University of Kentucky, where she became a four-time All-American and achieved runner-up status at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. In addition to her collegiate accomplishments, she has served as the associate head coach and throws coach for the Vanderbilt women’s track and field program. Since 2019, Ashley has been coaching Joe professionally.
Joe and Ashley's relationship dates back to their college years when they were both competitors, Ashley representing the University of Kentucky while Joe competed for Penn State. Their romantic relationship began in the summer of 2017 when Ashley held a position as throws coach at Ohio State University; they subsequently married in 2018.
Who are Joe Kovacs Kids?
Joe Kovacs and his wife, Ashley Kovacs, are parents to two children. Their twins, Kannon and Kaari, were born in October 2022.
Joe Kovacs Family Pictures
FAQs on Joe Kovacs Family
A. Joe Kovacs was born on June 28, 1989, in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States.
A. Joe Kovacs' weight is 295 lb (134 kg) as per his Wikipedia profile.
A. Joe Kovacs graduated from Pennsylvania State University with an undergraduate degree in Earth and Mineral Science.
A. Since 2019, Joe Kovacs' wife Ashley Kovacs has been his coach.