In a Prefontaine Classic field featuring all of the Olympic and world championships gold medalists since 2006, it was the American left off the 2012 Olympic roster who shined brightest.
Joe Kovacs won the men’s shot put Friday evening with a winning distance of 72 feet, 7 inches (22.12 meters), the longest throw in the world so far this season.
“It’s always nice to have the crowd behind you,” said Kovacs. “It really makes you feel at home.”
Coming off a fourth-place finish earlier this month at the Diamond League meet in Doha, Kovacs is the reigning U.S. champion.
“I just really had a lot of trust in my coach,” said Kovacs. “I went back into the weight room and really focused on my fundamentals. I have our nationals coming up and then World Championships, so it means a lot to get this win.”
Hayward Field has the most 70-foot shot put throws of any other venue in the world. Fittingly, the top three finishers broke the mark.
With a season best throw of 71-11 (21.92 meters), Germany’s David Storl, a two-time world champion, finished second in his first Prefontaine Classic appearance.
Ryan Whiting of the United States managed third with a best toss of 70-1 1/2 (21.37 meters), a season best.
The most notable American, Reese Hoffa, did not place.
