JP
John Powell

Photo: Associated Press—Public domain

John Powell

USAUSAMen
Birth dateJun 25, 1947
BirthplaceSan Francisco, United States
Height1.88 m
Weight110 kg

John Gates Powell (June 25, 1947 – August 19, 2022) was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the discus throw.

He set a world record at 69 08 meters in 1975, and his personal best of 71.

08 meters in 1975, and his personal best of 71 26 meters ties him for ninth place in the all-time performers list.

Key facts
Discus Throw
71.26
#16 all-time
1989 season best
60.24
Nov 18, 1989 · Potchefstroom (RSA)
1989 season best
Medals
Olympic Games: 2 bronze · World Championships: 1 silver
Age
79 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: Discus Throw 71.26 (#16 all-time), 1989 season best 60.24 (Nov 18, 1989, Potchefstroom (RSA)) · Olympic Games: 2 bronze · World Championships: 1 silver · 79 years old

PB

Personal bests

71.26
#16 all-time
🏅

Medals

🥇🥈🥉Total
Olympic Games--22
World Championships-1-1
Total-123

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1989
DT
60.24-Nov 18, 1989
↑
Potchefstroom (RSA)
1988
DT
64.10-Jul 3, 1988
↑
Palo Alto, CA (USA)
1987
DT
72.08-Sep 11, 1987
↑
Palo Alto, CA (USA)
1986
DT
65.94-Jun 21, 1986
↑
Eugene, OR (USA)
1985
DT
65.60-Apr 28, 1985
↑
Walnut, CA (USA)
1984
DT
71.26-Jun 9, 1984
↑
San José (USA)
1983
DT
68.30-May 28, 1983
↑
San José (USA)
1982
DT
68.32-Aug 30, 1982
↑
London (GBR)
1981
DT
69.98-May 16, 1981
↑
Modesto, CA (USA)
1980
DT
68.20-Jun 1, 1980
↑
Berkeley, CA (USA)
1979
DT
67.34-Jun 16, 1979
↑
Walnut, CA (USA)
1977
DT
67.98-May 21, 1977
↑
Modesto, CA (USA)
1976
DT
67.54-Jun 11, 1976
↑
Westwood, CA (USA)
1975
DT
69.08-May 4, 1975
↑
Long Beach, CA (USA)
1974
DT
69.46-May 19, 1974
↑
Modesto, CA (USA)
1973
DT
66.64-May 26, 1973
↑
Modesto, CA (USA)
1972
DT
64.21-May 6, 1972
↑
San José (USA)

1989

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
60.24-Nov 18Potchefstroom

1988

8 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
61.56-Jul 23Indianapolis US Olympic Trials, Indianapolis, IN
DT
62.54-Jul 22Indianapolis US Olympic Trials, Indianapolis, IN
DT
64.10-Jul 3Palo Alto, CA
DT
64.02-Jun 15Tampa TAC Championships, Tampa, FL
DT
62.26-Apr 9Orlando, FL
DT
61.44-Apr 2Miami, FL
DT
61.72-Feb 27Auckland
DT
60.64-Feb 20Christchurch

1987

13 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
60.64-Dec 3Melbourne
DT
64.66-Sep 13Klagshamm, Klagshamn
DT
72.08-Sep 11Klagshamn
DT
66.22-Sep 4IAAF World Championships
DT
63.62-Sep 3IAAF World Championships
DT
63.62-Aug 29IAAF World Championships
DT
66.22-Aug 29IAAF World Championships
DT
66.22-Jun 27San José TAC Championships, San José
DT
66.32-Jun 20Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
DT
61.28-Jan 31Auckland
DT
62.06-Jan 28Hamilton
DT
60.72-Jan 24Perth
DT
60.90-Jan 22Perth

1986

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
65.94-Jun 21Eugene TAC Championships, Eugene, OR

1985

2 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
62.82-Oct 4Canberra IAAF World Cup, Bruce Stadium, Canberra
DT
65.60-Apr 28Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA

1984

9 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
65.46-Aug 10The XXIII Olympic Games, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
DT
62.92-Aug 8The XXIII Olympic Games, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
DT
64.46-Jul 21Sacramento, CA
DT
67.14-Jun 23Los Angeles US Olympic Trials, Los Angeles, CA
DT
71.26-Jun 9San José TAC Championships, San José
DT
67.76-Jun 8San José TAC Championships, San José
DT
68.36-May 26San José
DT
61.88-Apr 28Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
DT
62.92-Mar 17Tallahassee, FL

1983

16 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
DT
62.34-Aug 20Västeras, Västerås
DT
58.96-Aug 13IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
DT
58.96-Aug 7IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
DT
63.84-Jul 30Uppsala
DT
65.02-Jul 23Västeras, Västerås
DT
65.02-Jul 3Colorado Springs, CO
DT
66.56-Jun 26Los Angeles, CA
DT
67.68-Jun 19Indianapolis TAC Championships, Indianapolis, IN
DT
64.94-Jun 12Berkeley, CA
DT
68.30-May 28San José
DT
65.40-May 21Knoxville, TN
DT
65.18-May 15Westwood, CA
DT
66.28-May 14Modesto ModR, Modesto, CA
DT
67.00-Apr 24Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA
DT
65.00-Apr 16San José
DT
64.84-Apr 2Stanford King, Palo Alto, CA
Showing 1 - 50 of 140

Honours

🥈

IAAF World Championships

Discus Throw

1987
5

Canberra IAAF World Cup

Discus Throw

1985
🥉

The XXIII Olympic Games

Discus Throw

1984
🥉

The XXI Olympic Games

Discus Throw

1976
4

The XX Olympic Games

Discus Throw

1972
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is John Powell's Discus Throw personal best?

John Powell's Discus Throw personal best is 71.26, set on Jun 9, 1984 in San José (USA), #16 on the all-time list.

Which events does John Powell compete in?

John Powell competes in the Discus Throw.

How did John Powell perform in 1989?

1989 season best: 60.24, set on Nov 18, 1989 in Potchefstroom (RSA).

How many medals has John Powell won?

John Powell has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 1 World Championships medal.