Mickle Shines on World Stage

WAIS javelin thrower Kim Mickle has finished sixth in the women’s final at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, following a best throw of 61.96m.

The result was Mickle’s best ever on the worlds stage, and the throw of 61.96m doubled as an Olympic A-Qualifier for next year’s London Games.

Mickle, who at the Commonwealth Games last year won a silver medal, began her campaign in the final with 59.33m before following it up with 57.07m and 60.87m to sit within the top-eight at the half-way mark of competition and secure three more throws.

Fouling in the fourth round, Mickle backed up with 61.96m in the penultimate round, her best ever throw at a major championship, before closing with 61.33m to sit sixth at the conclusion of competition.

Arguably the strongest women’s javelin final in world championships history, the event was won by Russian Maria Abakumova. The Russian threw a world lead and championship record of 71.99m to steal the gold in the fifth round from Czech athlete Barbora Spotakova, who threw a then world lead mark and season best of 71.58m one throw earlier for silver.

A clearly delighted Mickle said following competition, “Oh man that was amazing, I can’t believe how strong the competition was and that for sure lifted me out there tonight.”

“The throw (61.96m) is an Olympic qualifier too which is awesome, so now I can prepare really well for the Australian domestic season after a good result here and build towards London next year – onwards and upwards!”

Mickle was joined in action over the weekend by fellow WAIS scholarship holder Madison de Rozario, who competed in the exhibition 800m women’s wheelchair event.

The 2008 Beijing Paralympian finished fourth in the two lap event, in a time of 1:51.95mins. Heading out strong to lead into the bell lap, de Rozario was narrowly run down in the straight as Canadian Diane Roy won gold in 1:50.91.

-Athletics Australia