History of Raven Saunders in Timeline
Raven "Hulk" Saunders is a highly decorated American track and field athlete specializing in shot put and discus throw. They have a personal best of 19.96m in shot put and are the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist. Saunders boasts multiple championship titles including two NCAA collegiate titles at Southern Illinois University and two at the University of Mississippi. Their successful career also includes a world junior silver medal and a Pan American junior championship. In 2023, Saunders received an 18-month suspension due to three missed doping tests.
May 15, 1996: Birth of Raven Saunders
Raven "Hulk" Saunders was born on May 15, 1996.
March 2014: National High School Indoor Record
In March 2014, while attending Burke High School, Raven Saunders broke the national high school indoor record for shot put with a throw of 17.27 meters.
April 2014: National High School Outdoor Record
Raven Saunders broke the national high school outdoor record for shot put with a throw of 17.29 meters in April 2014.
2014: International Debut
Raven Saunders placed first at the US Junior Championships and made their international debut at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics.
2014: World Junior Silver Medal
Raven Saunders won the silver medal in shot put at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics.
2015: Missouri Valley Conference and NCAA Championships
In 2015, Raven Saunders achieved victory in the shot put at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships, as well as the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, all while at Southern Illinois University.
2015: Pan American Junior Champion
Raven Saunders became the Pan American junior champion in shot put in 2015.
2015: Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
Raven Saunders placed eighth at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and secured first place at the 2015 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships with a throw of 18.27 meters, setting a new championship record.
2016: Outdoor Championship Record
Raven Saunders set a new outdoor championship record in shot put with a throw of 19.33 meters in 2016.
2016: First Olympic Team
Raven Saunders secured a spot on the Olympic team for the first time in 2016 with a shot put of 19.24 meters, coming in second to Michelle Carter.
2016: Southeastern Conference and NCAA Championships
In 2016, Raven Saunders won the shot put titles at the Southeastern Conference Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the NCAA Outdoor Championships while at the University of Mississippi. They placed 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
2020: Olympic Silver Medal
Raven Saunders won the silver medal in women's shot put at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 19.79 meters.
August 2021: Podium Protest
During the medal ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics, Raven Saunders crossed their arms in an X shape on the podium to show support for oppressed people in August 2021. This resulted in an investigation by the IOC, which was later suspended due to the passing of Saunders' mother.
2021: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials
Raven Saunders secured second place at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials with a shot put throw of 19.96 meters in 2021.
2021: Second Hip Surgery
Raven Saunders underwent a second major hip surgery in the fall of 2021, which impacted their performance at the USA Team qualifier in 2022.
2022: USA Team Qualifier
Raven Saunders participated in the USA Team qualifier in 2022 but faced challenges due to recovering from hip surgery.
March 2023: Suspension and Personal Challenges
Raven Saunders was suspended by the USADA in March 2023 for missing three doping tests. This coincided with Saunders' recovery from a second hip surgery in 2021 and the passing of their mother.
2023: 18-Month Suspension
Raven Saunders was given an 18-month suspension from competition after missing three doping tests in a year, in 2023.
February 2024: End of Suspension
Raven Saunders' suspension is set to end in February 2024.