| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Paul Pukstys |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | May 28, 1968 Glen Ellyn, Illinois |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 216 lb (98 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event(s) | Javelin throw |
| College/university team | University of Florida |
Thomas Paul "Tom" Pukstys (born May 28, 1968) is a former American track and field athlete who was a javelin thrower. Pukstys was a six-time U.S. javelin champion, and represented the United States at two consecutive Summer Olympics (1992 and 1996).
Pukstys parents came to the U.S. from Lithuania in 1949. He was born in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he was a member of the Florida Gators track and field team. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in public relations in 1992.
Pukstys broke his first American record in June 1993. His personal best was a throw of 87.12 meters in 1997.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing the United States | ||||
| 1991 | World Championships | Tokyo, Japan | 26th | 74.72 m |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | 10th | 76.72 m |
| 1993 | World Championships | Stuttgart, Germany | 9th | 77.92 m |
| 1995 | World Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 19th | 76.12 m |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 8th | 83.58 m |
| 1997 | World Championships | Athens, Greece | 15th | 78.64 m |
| IAAF Grand Prix Final | Fukuoka, Japan | 4th | 85.68 m | |
| 1998 | Goodwill Games | Uniondale, New York, United States | 2nd | 79.86 m |
| 1999 | World Championships | Seville, Spain | — | DNS |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 20th | 78.10 m |