Raven Saunders

Last updated

Raven Saunders
Raven Saunders podium protest Tokyo.jpg
Saunders on the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1996-05-15) May 15, 1996 (age 29)
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Sport
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Sport Athletics (track and field)
Events
College team Southern Illinois University Salukis, Ole Miss Rebels
Turned pro2018
Coached by
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking
  • 3rd (shot put, 2018) [1]
Personal bests
  • Shot put: 19.96 m (65 ft 5+3⁄4 in) (2021)
  • Discus: 56.85 m (186 ft 6 in) (2016)
  • Hammer: 57.97 m (190 ft 2+1⁄4 in) (2016)
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2020 Tokyo Shot put
World Junior Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2014 Eugene Shot Put
Pan American Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2015 Edmonton Shot Put
NACAC U23 Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2016 San Salvador Shot Put
Representing Americas (orthographic projection).svg Americas
Continental Cup
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2018 Ostrava Shot Put
Updated on July 12, 2025

Raven Saunders (born May 15, 1996), also known as "Hulk," [2] is an American track and field athlete who competes in shot put. They represented the United States in shot put at the Summer Olympics in 2016, 2021, and 2024, medaling in silver at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. [3] As a student at Southern Illinois University and University of Mississippi, they won four NCAA collegiate titles in shot put, both indoor and outdoor. They were a world junior silver medalist in 2014 and the Pan American junior champion in 2015.

Contents

Early life

Raven Saunders was born on May 15, 1996, in Charleston, South Carolina. [4] [5] They have a younger sister. [4]

Saunders is a 2014 graduate of Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina, where they competed in track and field. Saunders went on to attend Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois, before transferring to the University of Mississippi in University, Mississippi, to compete for the Ole Miss Rebels track team.[ citation needed ]

Career

2011–2014: High school and junior career

Saunders started throwing shot put and discus as a ninth grader at Burke High School. [3] Their coach, Herbert Johnson, became a father figure to Saunders. [4]

During their senior year in March 2014, Saunders broke the national high school indoor record for the shot put with a mark of 17.27 m (56 ft 7+3⁄4 in); in April 2014, they broke the outdoor record for the shot put with a mark of 17.29 m (56 ft 8+1⁄2 in). They were selected as the Gatorade Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year for their efforts. [6]

Saunders placed first at the 2014 US Junior Championships, [7] and made their international debut at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Eugene, Oregon and took the silver medal behind Guo Tianqian of China (who was Asian champion one year later). [8] [9] Saunders raised funds through the internet in order to attend the meeting, which was nearly 3,000 miles away from their hometown in South Carolina. [10]

2015: Start of NCAA career at SIU, Pan Am Junior Champion

Saunders started their NCAA career at Southern Illinois University (SIU), where they won shot put titles at the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships, 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships. [11]

Saunders was the first American junior athlete to throw beyond 18 meters. They continued to improve their American junior records and broke the Missouri Valley Conference record. [12]

Saunders placed 8th at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and topped the podium at the 2015 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, beating the runner-up by over 2.5 meters with a throw of 18.27 m (59 ft 11+1⁄4 in), a new Pan American Junior Championship record. [13]

2016: Transfer to Ole Miss, Rio Olympics

As a sophomore, Saunders transferred to the University of Mississippi and competed for the Ole Miss Rebels track team. They won shot put titles at the 2016 Southeastern Conference Track and Field Championships (both indoor and outdoor) and the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and placed 12th at 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships. [12] [14]

Saunders broke the 23-year-old outdoor championship record with their shot put throw of 19.33 m (63 ft 5 in) in 2016. [15]

Saunders successfully made their first Olympic team with a throw of 19.24 m (63 ft 1+1⁄4 in) at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials, coming second only to Michelle Carter, who would go on to become the first American woman to win the gold medal in shot put at the Rio Olympics. [16]

Saunders competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, placing 5th with a throw of 19.35 m (63 ft 5+3⁄4 in).

2018–2020: Leaving Ole Miss, turning pro, injuries

In February 2018, Saunders announced they were leaving Ole Miss due to “personal and medical issues,” but that they intended to return to complete their degree. [17]

In April 2018, Saunders turned professional, launching this new phase of their career as a shot putter at the War Eagle Invitational at Auburn University with a throw of 19.56 m (64 ft 2 in). [18]

In June 2018, Saunders announced that they had signed with Nike, the same week that they finished third in shot put at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 18.74 m (61 ft 5+3⁄4 in). [19]

At the end of the 2018 season, Saunders had surgery on their elbow, followed by hip surgery in May 2019, taking them out of competition for the rest of 2019. [20] Saunders returned to competition in early 2020, taking part in only two meets before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the rest of the season. [1]

2021–2022: Tokyo Olympics, podium gesture

In June 2021, Saunders placed second in shot put at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials, with a personal best of 19.96 m (65 ft 6 in). [1] [21]

On August 1, 2021, at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics, Saunders won the silver medal in shot put, with a throw of 19.79 m (64 ft 11 in). [22] [23]

On the podium during the medal ceremony, Saunders raised their arms above their head and formed an "X" with their wrists, later explaining: “It’s the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.“ [24] As a result, the IOC launched a probe to whether the gesture violated Olympic rules, which prohibited athletes from "[any] kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" in any Olympic site, including playing fields and podiums. [25]

The United States Olympic Committee defended Saunders' gesture, stating that it did not breach its rules as it was a "peaceful expression in support of racial and social justice that was respectful of [their] competitors." [26]

On August 3, it was announced that Saunders’ mother Clarissa had died at an Olympics watch party in Florida for athletes’ families. [27] The next day, the IOC suspended its investigation into Saunders' gesture on the podium. [28] [29] [30]

In October 2021, Saunders had another surgery on their hip. [31] Nine months later, they returned to compete at the 2022 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, placing 4th in shot put with a throw of 18.95 m (62 ft 2 in) and missing out on competing at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. [1]

Disappointed with their performance, Saunders announced in July 2022 that they would be taking the rest of the year off in order to fully recuperate from hip surgery, with the intention of returning for indoor meets in early 2023 and the goal of qualifying for the 2023 World Athletics Championship. [32]

2023: Anti-doping rule violation

Saunders served an 18-month competition ban from August 2022 to February 2024 issued by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for three "whereabouts" failures during a 12-month period, in which they either missed drug testing or failed to submit paperwork indicating where they could be found. [33] [34] [35]

2024: Paris Olympics

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Saunders qualified for the shot put final with a throw of 18.62 m (61 ft 1 in). [36] In the final, Saunders finished 11th with a top throw of 17.79 m (58 ft 4+1⁄4 in). [37]

2025: Second anti-doping rule violation

In September 2025, the USADA announced that Saunders had accepted a second suspension of 2 1/2 years for additional "whereabouts" violations. Their suspension was retroactive to December 2024. [38]

Personal life

Saunders is non-binary and queer, having come out to their mother as queer in the third grade. [39] [40] [41]

Saunders has been outspoken about their struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. [20] [42] They have worked as an advocate for racial justice, mental health, and animal rights for bovines, especially bulls. [43]

International competitions

Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventResultNotes
2014 World Junior Championships Eugene, Oregon2nd Shot put 16.63 m (54 ft 6+1⁄2 in)—
2015 Pan American Junior Championships Edmonton, Canada1st Shot put 18.27 m (59 ft 11+1⁄4 in) CR
2016 NACAC U23 Championships San Salvador, El Salvador1st Shot put 18.49 m (60 ft 7+3⁄4 in)—
Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro, Brazil5th Shot put 19.35 m (63 ft 5+3⁄4 in) SB
2017 World Championships London, United Kingdom10th Shot put 17.86 m (58 ft 7 in)—
2018 Continental Cup Ostrava, Czech Republic2nd Shot put 19.74 m (64 ft 9 in) SB
2021 Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan2nd Shot put 19.79 m (64 ft 11 in)—
2024 Olympic Games Paris, France11th Shot put 17.79 m (58 ft 4+1⁄4 in)—

National competitions

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventResultNotes
2014 USA Junior Championships Eugene, Oregon1st Shot put 17.02 m (55 ft 10 in)—
2015 USA Championships Eugene, Oregon8th Shot put 17.85 m (58 ft 6+3⁄4 in)—
USA Junior Championships Eugene, Oregon1st Shot put 17.01 m (55 ft 9+1⁄2 in)—
2016 United States Olympic Trials Eugene, Oregon2nd Shot put 19.24 m (63 ft 1+1⁄4 in)—
2017 USA Championships Sacramento, California1st Shot put 19.76 m (64 ft 9+3⁄4 in) SB
2018 USA Championships Des Moines, Iowa3rd Shot put 18.74 m (61 ft 5+3⁄4 in)—
2021 United States Olympic Trials Eugene, Oregon2nd Shot put 19.96 m (65 ft 5+3⁄4 in) PB SB
2022 USA Championships Eugene, Oregon4th Shot put 18.95 m (62 ft 2 in) SB
2024 United States Olympic Trials Eugene, Oregon2nd Shot put 19.90 m (65 ft 3+1⁄4 in) SB

NCAA competitions

Representing Southern Illinois University and University of Mississippi
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventResultTeamNotes
2015 Division I Indoor Championships Fayetteville, Arkansas1st Shot put 18.62 m (61 ft 1 in) Southern Illinois University SB
Division I Championships Eugene, Oregon1st Shot put 18.35 m (60 ft 2+1⁄4 in) Southern Illinois University —
2016 Division I Indoor Championships Birmingham, Alabama12th Shot put 16.59 m (54 ft 5 in) University of Mississippi —
Division I Championships Eugene, Oregon1st Shot put 19.33 m (63 ft 5 in) University of Mississippi —
2017 Division I Indoor Championships College Station, Texas1st Shot put 19.56 m (64 ft 2 in) University of Mississippi CR
Division I Championships Eugene, Oregon4th Shot put 17.47 m (57 ft 3+3⁄4 in) University of Mississippi —

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Raven SAUNDERS | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Raven "Hulk" Saunders Wins Silver Medal In Women's Shot Put". www.teamusa.com. August 1, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Raven Saunders". Team USA. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "FEATURE: Inside the Life of Raven Saunders". Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Raven Saunders". www.teamusa.com. June 25, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  6. ↑ Raven Saunders. Gatorade. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ 2014 USA Junior Championships Results – 7/5/2014 to 7/6/2014 Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon USATF. Retrieved on August 5, 2016.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Javier Clavelo (July 26, 2014). Report: women's shot put – IAAF World Junior Championships, Oregon 2014. IAAF. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  9. ↑ China add four gold on final day to finish on top at Asian Championships. IAAF (June 7, 2015). Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ Raven's one shot. Spikes Magazine (August 5, 2014). Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Raven Saunders at Southern Illinois". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Raven Saunders Archived August 8, 2016, at the Wayback Machine . Ole Miss Rebels. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ Clavelo Robinson, Javier (August 3, 2015)Aguilar breaks world junior javelin record at Pan American Junior Championships. IAAF. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  14. ↑ Ole Miss Rebels Raven Saunders TFRRS.org. Retrieved on August 5, 2016.
  15. ↑ Mulkeen, Jon (June 11, 2016). Lawson and Brazier rewrite history at NCAA Championships. IAAF. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ Hartsell, Jeff (July 8, 2016). Burke’s Raven Saunders on Olympic dream: ‘It’s crazy’. Post and Courier. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  17. ↑ Sully, Kevin (February 6, 2018). "NCAA Champion Shot Putter Raven Saunders Leaves Ole Miss For Health Reasons". FloTrack. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  18. ↑ Hartsell, Jeff (April 25, 2018). "Charleston native and Olympian Raven Saunders is back, and she's turned pro". Post and Courier. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  19. ↑ Hartsell, Jeff (June 24, 2018). "Charleston's Raven Saunders signs with Nike, finishes third at USA track and field championships". Post and Courier. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  20. 1 2 "The Edge | SPIKES | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  21. ↑ Tripp, Drew (June 25, 2021). "Charleston's Raven Saunders makes U.S. Olympic team again with record shot put". WCIV. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Athletics – Final Results". Tokyo Olympics Official Site. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Internet favorite Raven Saunders wins silver in women's shot put final". uk.sports.yahoo.com. August 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Incredible Raven: Saunders lends her voice to the Olympics". AP News. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  25. ↑ Nuñez, Xcaret (August 4, 2021). "The IOC Has Suspended Its Investigation Into Raven Saunders' Podium Demonstration". NPR. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Raven Saunders' gesture on Olympic podium legal, U.S. committee says - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  27. ↑ Renaud, Tim (August 3, 2021). "Mother of local Olympian Raven Saunders has died, family says". Count On 2 News. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  28. ↑ Ganguly, Sudipto (August 2, 2021). "IOC says looking into gesture used by U.S. athlete Saunders on podium". Reuters. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  29. ↑ Núñez, Xcaret (August 4, 2021). "The IOC Has Suspended Its Investigation Into Raven Saunders' Podium Demonstration". NPR. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  30. ↑ Chen, Shawna (August 5, 2021). "IOC suspends investigation into Raven Saunders' gesture". Axios. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  32. ↑ @GiveMe1Shot (July 6, 2022). "Thank you all for supporting me this year". X. Retrieved August 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ "Raven Saunders gets 18-month ban for missed doping tests". AP News. March 15, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Raven Saunders, Olympic shot put medalist, banned until 2024". NBC Sports. March 15, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Raven Saunders suspended for missed drug tests". NBC. March 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ Pells, Eddie; Graham, Pat (August 8, 2024). "Raven Saunders, the masked shot putter who won silver in Tokyo, qualifies for final". AP News. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  37. ↑ Graham, Pat (August 9, 2024). "Raven Saunders, the mask-wearing shot putter, finishes 11th in Olympic final". AP News. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  38. ↑ Zaccardi, Nick (September 10, 2025). "Raven Saunders suspended 2 1/2 years in whereabouts case". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  39. ↑ Lichtenstein, Isabelle (July 27, 2020). "Olympian Raven Saunders Gets Candid About Mental Health, Racism, And Queerness". GO Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  40. ↑ Naughton, Philippe (August 8, 2024). "Announcer Misgenders Pioneering U.S. Olympics Shot-Putter". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  41. ↑ Zeigler, Cyd. "Raven Saunders came out to mom in 3rd grade, now on Team USA". OutSports. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Raven Saunders: What the Olympian's X protest means to her". BBC News. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  43. ↑ Futterman, Matthew; Minsberg, Talya; Chen, David W. (August 1, 2021). "Shot-Putter's Gesture Renews Controversy Over Podium Protests". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved August 2, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.