Nick Ponzio - Italian Shot Putter “Forced into Retirement”

Throws will never be popular until it involves practical projectiles the public cares about. Currently the only practical throw is javelin, and they are required to throw it wrong (overhand) which limits their distance.

A practical throw would be something like a football or a baseball. People would genuinely be interested world records for these. QB's and outfielders would have their stats discussed during games.

The baseball throw was indeed an event at some U.S. track & field meets at least into the early 1930s; at the 1932 AAU championships, which doubled as the Olympic trials for qualifying events, the great Babe Didrikson won the women's baseball throw with a heave of 272'2." I was unable to find out when the event was discontinued; if anyone knows, please chime in.

From his Instagram

I always liked Nick, I guess we will know more when he puts out a video.

Hand grenades. The public would love that

His IG post sounds like he got popped for some kind of banned substance, but I hope it's not the case. I really did like him, even if only for his goofy socks.

Always drama with the Italians... I bet it's something like he's not making enough money.

How is throwing the javelin overhand wrong?

I’m with you otherwise… although even then it wouldn’t be that popular. On par with driving competitions in golf.

I love his main character energy but if this comes out as "they didn't accept my rubbish excuses for missing tests, by the way here are my rubbish excuses--" there will be zero sympathy and he knows it. If it's like "hey I did party drugs and failed a test and I dragged out the investigation for a super long time and now I'm done" I have some sympathy, as I party myself, but not much. If we're actually going to learn about some stupid bureaucratic policies or individuals who are causing issues with him or the Italian national team specifically, I look forward to discussing it on this forum.

Caught in a Ponzio scheme

Overhand as in your hand has to be above your body.

Throwing more sidearm goes farther but was deemed too dangerous cause a throw can go wild.

So he was a 19.62 performer in college but threw 21.83 last year and we are supposed to be shocked if he was popped for something?

I'm not a throws expert, but is that type of improvement normal?

I'm not sure this is about doping. His post mentioned being punished for "petty crimes," so he might have some legal issues. We'll see

He's throwing at Drake relays. Wasn't popped for banned substances.

No letsrun insider has the full story?

No its not.i reckon he tested positive for something,and to save face hes "retired" '

Very vague/evasive. There's probably a reason he's hiding that will make people think less of him. What "petty crimes"...?

Nick Ponzio is 28 years old. Tons of (if not most) do not peak during their college years and rather around their late 20s/early 30s. His biggest jump was around a meter from 2018-19, which is probably indicative of a new training setup. Now that in itself is a large improvement, but it's disingenuous to act like he just came out of nowhere.

Either way, this post does read like he got in trouble for whereabouts or something, perhaps a positive test but I don't know why they'd still allow him to compete if it were a doping test. I guess we'll see

bet he got dropped from funding from the Italian Federation and/or got dropped or reduced by a current sponsor. As it stands NP will never medal on the world stage in fact struggles to be among Europes best. And while his persona might be a little entertaining how many people are buying tickets to meets to see him throw? How many shot out shoes is he selling ? I am guessing the answer to both those questions is zero. So with a cut in funds sure Nick is trying to play the victim card