Meet David Neal Bickel

David Neal Bickel is a proud father of quadruplets, who will be 22 years old this summer. He has been married for almost 27 years to Lisa. David currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the United States of America. He was born on May 5, 1966, in Dublin, Ireland.

This athlete is first and foremost the primary caregiver for his two adult children with special needs. Besides that, he runs a personal training business and a USATF Track Club Arizona Desert Throwers.

David started his involvement with athletics in high school. Initially, it was a way to prepare

for football. Football was his top priority at the time, and working on sprinting, hurdling, and jumping was a way to enhance his off-season training. Over time, athletics became his primary interest, and throwing became his primary focus.

He shares his love for this sport with his family and anyone else who is interested in learning and competing. His family supports him emotionally and allows him to participate. He also officiates and hosts athletics events.

David competes in the hammer, weight, super weight, discus, shot put, javelin, throws pentathlon, and ultra-weight pentathlon. He set his high school discus record several times in Mesa, Arizona, 1981-1984. Later, Bickel smashed his College Indoor Weight Throw record at Arizona State University in 1988. He was also a Team Co-Captain 1987-1988.

Since returning to the sport of athletics as a master athlete, David has been fortunate to have set 8 American records in three events. He also won three World Championship medals, two silver in Kamloops, Canada, one bronze in Sacramento, California, and earned 60 National Championship medals (29 gold, 15 silver, and 16 bronze).

Throwers often have large body mass and good power to weight ratio to generate speed into the implement both before and during the release. They also often have long arms and legs which help to accelerate the implement, thus, creating a longer throw. However, despite this fact, David tends to be somewhat small (5’9”), compared to most throwers. Therefore, he has had to rely on technique. He performs and tries to pass along the knowledge he has gained over the years, as often as possible.

Also, David has had some physical issues to overcome through the years. Most recently, having total knee replacement in both knees; (two years ago on the right knee, 11 months ago on the left knee). For David, making a speedy return to his beloved sport of Athletics has been one of the most satisfying triumphs. He feels very fortunate to have been able to accomplish all that he has in the sport, so far. This outstanding athlete hopes his experiences will give others hope and an example to follow.

David points out that participating in athletics has helped him remain fit and healthy. “It is a way for me to recharge, relieve stress, and give to others,” says Bickel.

This thrower’s goal is to remain active and continue to participate in the sport of athletics, to the best of his ability. Heintends to continue to coach and help others achieve their goals for as long as he possibly can. He hopes someday to be one of those 100-year-old athletes still throwing and coaching.