Mickle and Henry Win Grand Prix Gold in Japan

WAIS track and field athletes Kim Mickle and Jodie Henry both had reason to smile this weekend after both athletes claimed wins at an IAAF Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan.

Mickle – a javelin thrower – has hit a career purple patch this season surpassing her own personal best and the coveted A-Qualifying mark in securing her place at this year’s World Championships, which will be held in Berlin in August.

Mickle won gold in Osaka, throwing 62.65m to take victory, which was made even sweeter after a disrupted preparation.

“It was an unusual event in Japan,” the 24 year old said. “We weren’t allowed any warm up throws; normally I like to prepare and throw for an hour ahead to A, warm up and to B, get myself into the swing of things.”

Mickle was particularly pleased with her result given her training schedule had shifted to her winter program following a busy summer season.

“There’s something in the water here (in Perth) at the moment,” Mickle joked. “It was just great to have Jody (Henry) here with me, she’s a really great mate. I was screaming during her race, and I think I’ve lost my voice but I was just so happy for her,” Mickle said.

Henry for her part was a member of the Australian women’s 4x400m relay team that won gold ahead of China, Japan and Hungary, a result that achieved the qualifying time needed to secure Australia a relay place at the world championships in Berlin.

Running with Tamsyn Lewis, Pirenee Steinert and Madeleine Pape, Henry combined to clock a time of 3:28.97min which easily surpassed the 3:31.00min needed for qualification.

Henry who only recently added the 400m sprint to her repertoire, will now hope to be part of the squad that is selected to travel to the German capital.