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! As we’ve discovered with every sport we’ve talked about on the podcast, a lot of technique goes into heaving something across a field.
The guests we’ve had on have been more than happy to go into great detail about the moves that help them be successful at their sports. That kind of detail helps us know what to look for when we watch throwing competitions.
Need a good dose of throws? Here is a playlist of our conversations with our favorite throwers from the Olympics and Paralympics. Add it to your podcast queue – just don’t be tempted to throw your phone!
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. Like all throwers, she has definite opinions about spinning vs. gliding, and we get into that. Michelle also shared 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
Visually impaired Paralympian Ness Murby was so interesting that we kept talking and talking – so much that 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 and working with a sports assistant. There are a lot of rules about what assistants can and can’t do for athletes. Ness breaks it all down for us.
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 about 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? Physics is hard at work in this event! U.S. Olympian and World Champion Hammer Thrower DeAnna Price talked with us at length on how this sport works and made us fall in love with watching it. Plus, we talked about DeAnna’s experience at Rio 2016.
Javelin: Kara Winger
What’s a javelin made of? 4x Olympian Kara Winger breaks down the makeup (and cost) of a javelin, and if you need yours fixed, she knows a guy. Kara also talks with us about the physics involved with the event, the approach, the throw and follow-through. Plus, we get some insight on her Olympic experiences and her work as a coach, official and ambassador for the sport.