by Alison Brown
We are fascinated by field athletes who don’t seem to get as much attention as their track counterparts. We especially love to talk with people who throw things – shot put, discus, javelin or hammer, we love when things fly across the field! Here is a playlist of our conversations with out favorite throwers from the Olympics and Paralympics.
Shot Put: Michelle Carter
3x Olympian and Rio 2016 gold medal shot putter Michelle Carter joined us in 2021 to talk about shot put technique, her strategies for managing her ADHD and dyslexia, her Olympic experiences and how looking her best helps her achieve her best. Shot Diva in the house!
Para Shot Put: Noelle Malkamaki
We spoke with para shot putter Noelle Malkamaki to learn more about the sport from a para athlete angle. Noelle was wrapping up her final season on DePaul University’s track and field team, where she competed against able-bodied athletes and getting ready for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. What a Paralympics that turned out to be! She won gold and came back on the show later that year to talk about her new life after the Paralympics.
Para Discus: Ness Murby
We spoke with visually impaired Paralympian Ness Murby so much we had to break up the interview into two parts. First, Ness talked with us all about how the sport of para discus works and whether his guide dog Lexington is good at fetching the discus after throws. Then we discussed competing with a visual impairment.
Para Javelin: Justin Phongsavahn
We got to talk with Paralympian Justin Phongsavanh at the Team USA Media Summit for a few minutes and were thrilled that he had time to come on the podcast for a longer interview. Justin competes in para javelin in the F54 class (competes while seated) and won a bronze at Tokyo 2020. Getting on the podium was fun, but it wasn’t enough, so Justin is continuing his quest for gold. How does one throw a long spear from a wheelchair? Justin breaks down the movement and how competition works. He also talks equipment, what it’s like when someone uses your javelins, and his road to Paris 2024.
Hammer Throw: DeAnna Price
Another two-parter! Did you know that a 4kg ball has the power to lift you in the air and slam you on the ground? U.S. Olympian and World Champion Hammer Thrower DeAnna Price tells us how this sport works. Plus, we talked with DeAnna’s experience at Rio 2016.