Justin Phongsavanh

Justin Phongsavanh (Lao: ຈັສຕິນ ພົງສະຫວັນ) (born May 19, 1997) is an American Paralympic athlete who specializes in javelin throw. He represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Justin Phongsavanh
Personal information
Born (1997-05-19) May 19, 1997
Des Moines, Iowa
Sport
Country United States
SportParalympic athletics
Disability classF54
Event(s)javelin throw
Medal record
Paralympic athletics
Representing the  United States
Summer Paralympics
Bronze medal – third place2020 Tokyojavelin throw F54
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place2019 Limajavelin throw F54

Career

Phongsavanh made his international debut for the United States at the 2019 Parapan American Games where he won a gold medal in the javelin throw F54 event.[1]

In June 2021, during the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials for Track and Field, Phongsavanh set the javelin throw world record with a distance of 33.29 meters.[2] He represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in the javelin throw F54 event and won a bronze medal.[3]

Personal life

Phongsavah is of mixed Laotian and Caucasian ancestry. His biological parents were incarcerated when he was two years old and after spending time in the Iowa foster care system he was adopted by Tamera Shinn and raised in Ankeny, IA.[4] On October 24, 2015, Phongsavanh was shot in a McDonald's parking lot. The bullet fragmented into five pieces, with one piece being lodged into his spine resulting in paraplegia.[5]

References
  1. "Justin Phongsavanh". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  2. Lieberman, Stuart (June 19, 2021). "Justin Phongsavanh's Javelin World Record Highlights Day 3 At Para Trials". teamusa.org. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  3. "Justin Phongsavanh". olympics.com. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  4. "Justin Phongsavanh". Lao American Sports. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  5. Rosen, Karen (March 31, 2020). "How Being Shot At McDonald's Led To Justin Phongsavanh's Paralympic Dream, Goal To "Change The World"". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
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