Mickle Third in Shanghai

WAIS javelin thrower Kim Mickle has finished third at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on Sunday with a second round throw of 63.60m.

In her first overseas competition for 2015, Mickle showed she remains one of the world’s best after a solid campaign in China’s largest city saw her throw the equal second furthest distance on the night, behind winner HuiHui Lu (64.08m) of China and South African Sunette Viljoen, who claimed second on countback, virtue of a better opening throw.

Shanghai was one of three Diamond League events Mickle is scheduled to contest as she warms up for August’s IAAF Athletics World Championships which will be held in China’s capital, Beijing.

Mickle competed in Shanghai without taper; with the competition falling in the middle of a training block and not a peak event. Despite this, the WAIS athlete of the Year and Commonwealth Games champion was still fresh enough to launch three throws over the A-Qualifying standard for this year’s World Championships, with her second round effort, coupled by a third round 62.20m and a closing round throw of 61.13m.

World Champion Christina Obergfall opened with a 62.08m but uncharacteristically could not better that mark, whilst Russian competitor Mariya Abakumova – who boasts a personal best in excess of 70m couldn’t find her form on the night, rounding out the top eight, with a best distance of 60.66m.

Mickle will return to Perth and base her training for the next five weeks before departing on a three week European tour where she will contest the Paris (July 4) and London (July 24) Diamond League events as part of her broader preparation for August’s titles.

For more information on the IAAF Diamond League series, you can visit the official website.