Mickle facing stern test for javelin title
Kim Mickle will have to overcome the strongest field she has faced at a national championships if she is to claim a 10th women’s javelin title in Brisbane this afternoon.
Mickle cruised through qualifying with a throw of 55.23m yesterday to confirm her place in today’s final when she will confront a strong challenge from Commonwealth Games teammates Kathryn Mitchell and Kelsey-Lee Roberts for bragging rights and direct qualification for this year’s world championships in Beijing.
South African Sunette Viljoen is also backing up in Brisbane after upstaging the Australian trio at the IAAF World Challenge event in Melbourne last weekend.
“We’ve got Kelsey and Kathryn still in the mix for it (the national title) and they’d want it,” Mickle said. “This is legitimately like another Commonwealth Games competition.
“We have got 21 in the pool and eight of us are all internationally recognised.
“It’s the best national champs I’ve ever been involved in, even worldwide I don’t think you would find a national champs like this.”
Mickle made a successful return in Melbourne after five weeks out of competition with Achilles soreness. The 30-year-old threw four world championship A-qualifiers, including a season-best throw of 66.57m, which was inches short of the national record she set last year.
“Throwing that was way beyond what I was thinking,” Mickle said.
“But not coming first, it’s weird to be bummed about a 66m throw.
“She (Viljoen) was kind of lucky to nail that one as well.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how she backs up. I do hate being beaten on home soil, so it just makes this weekend a bit more interesting.
“I’m not expecting a big 66 throw (this weekend) but I’d be hoping to have all my throws nice and consistent.”
Mickle said she had pulled up well from competition in Melbourne and had stayed on there for a few days continuing her training.
