Name: Justin Phongsavanh

Sport: Track and Field

Event(s): Javelin

Classification: T54/F54

Height: 6-2

DOB: 5/19/1997

Birthplace: Ankeny, Iowa

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

High School: Ankeny Centennial High School (Ankeny, Iowa) ‘15

College: Des Moines Area Community College ’18, Accounting

Paralympic Experience

• One-time Paralympian (2020); one-time Paralympic medalist (1 bronze)
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, bronze (javelin)

World Championship Experience

• Most Recent: 2019 – 4th (javelin)
• Years of Participation: 2019
• Top Finish: 4th – 2019 (javelin)

Other Career Highlights

• 2019 Grossetto Grand Prix, silver (javelin)
• 2019 Arizona Grand Prix, silver (javelin)
• 2017 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, gold (javelin)

Personal: 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