Raven Saunders, Masked Silver Medalist in Tokyo, Secures Spot in Shot Put Final

With purple and green hair, gold teeth grills, and bedazzled fingernails featuring Team USA colors and the letters H-U-L-K, Saunders is a spectacle unto themselves.

PARIS, France — Who was that masked person? It was Raven Saunders, the theatrical American shot put standout, known for their vibrant style and unique persona.

Saunders, who uses the pronouns they and them, qualified for the Olympic final Thursday, sporting a full-faced black mask and gold-hued sunglasses. Their hair was dyed neon green on one side and purple on the other. Their outfit was completed with gold grills on both their upper and lower teeth, and long fingernails on their left hand, bedazzled in Team USA colors with the letters H-U-L-K.

This is Saunders’ “Hulk” alter ego, emerging once the shot put starts flying. Adopting this persona helps them channel the mindset of a superhero preparing to throw an 8.8-pound hunk of metal.

“I’m in full form,” Saunders remarked about their costume. “I had to remind the people, I am who I am.”

Saunders has already secured a silver medal in Tokyo and aims to add another to their collection. They are also a vocal mental health advocate and an influential role model, demonstrating that the Olympics can transcend sports.

“I stand out this way and encourage other women,” they explained. “Younger athletes are coming through and truly expressing their own styles.”

After scratching on their first throw, Saunders recorded 17.93 meters on their second, and 18.62 on their final attempt to secure a spot in the final. Many are intrigued to see both their performance and their next outfit.

“I have something even better planned,” they hinted.

At the Tokyo medals ceremony, Saunders crossed their arms and formed an “X” with their wrists, symbolizing “the intersection of where all oppressed people meet.”

The 28-year-old from Charleston, South Carolina, previously competed at Southern Illinois before transferring to Ole Miss, winning NCAA shot put titles in both 2015 and 2016.

Saunders missed the 2023 world championships due to an 18-month suspension following three “whereabouts failures” within a 12-month period.

This period was particularly dark for Saunders, marked by the sudden death of their mother and hip surgery. They even considered leaving the sport.

“No matter how dark it gets, no matter how tough — there will be light,” Saunders revealed. “I dragged myself out of bed to the weight room, tears in my eyes, asking, ‘When is this going to be over?’ I just kept fighting every single day. Finally, I had a breakthrough. That’s the power of resilience and persistence.”

Saunders has been open about their mental health struggles. Their journey offers hope to those battling similar issues.

“Making this team was for the people who reminded me who I was when I was down,” Saunders said.