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ParalympianPara Track and Field

Justin Phongsavanh

Paralympian 2020

Justin Phongsavanh smiles for the camera
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Event Schedule

Upcoming Event

2023 Parapan American Games - Para Track and Field

November 17, 2023 - November 26, 2023 | Santiago, Chile

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Paris 2023 Para Athletics World Championships

July 8 - 17, 2023 | Paris, France

Athlete Bio

Justin Phongsavanh reaches back to throw a javelin
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Height

6'2"

Birthday

May 19, 1997

Hometown

Des Moines, IA

Education

Des Moines Area Community College

classification: T54/F54

In high school, Phongsavanh was involved in football, track and field, wrestling and rugby...In October 2015, Phongsavanh and his friend were gunned down in a fast food parking lot which resulted in him being shot and paralyzed below the waist...After spending four months in the hospital and undergoing physical therapy, he returned home and realized he had the desire to compete again...Five months after his injury, he reached out to Adaptive Sports Iowa to learn more about Paralympic sport opportunities...Since then, he has made the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team and has competed for Team USA in international competition...Son of Tamera Shinn...Hobbies include fishing, playing with his dog and hanging out with his friends...Also competes in Para powerlifting...Trains at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Center...Speaks Mandarin and Spanish
  • 2019 Grossetto Grand Prix, silver (javelin)
  • 2019 Arizona Grand Prix, silver (javelin)
  • 2017 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, gold (javelin)
  • One-time Paralympian (2020); one-time Paralympic medalist (1 bronze)
  • Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, bronze (javelin)
  • Most Recent: 2019 – 4th (javelin)
  • Years of Participation: 2019
  • Top Finish: 4th – 2019 (javelin)
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