Mickle's golden cohort
Javelin has become a team sport for Kim Mickle.
After years of battling injuries and some minor podium placings in international competition, the WA ace boasts a breakthrough Commonwealth Games medal.
Her second throw of 65.96m, a Commonwealth Games record, was sufficient to stun the rest of the field and give her gold.
It didn't surprise her support crew.
A band of coaches, psychologists and exercise specialists have put their faith behind the 29-year-old.
Mickle showed her potential when she won the world youth championships in 2001.
Then the wounds came.
So did the doubts about her ability to triumph at senior international level.
However, the support network still had confidence in its charge and she was quick to praise the helpers after stepping off the dais at Hampden Park.
"The WA Institute of Sport has been incredible. We call it Team Mickle," she said.
"Not only do I have myself and my coach Grant Ward - we've been together for 12 years now - we have (sports psychologist) Brian Miller on board doing all the prep work for comp.
"Then we have a biomechanist who came to Finland with me for a month to help with training.
"He showed some footage so I could hit some points when I need to.
"They're always behind me so I thank WAIS so much for their help.
"This result wouldn't happen without Team Mickle."
One of the facets Miller taught Mickle was to concentrate on the big stage.
He wasn't averse to singing Baa Baa Black Sheep to a blindfolded Mickle during training to ensure she was focused on the job.
Amid the noise of a capacity crowd at Hampden Park, that preparation helped Mickle get into the zone for her first two knockout throws.
"It teaches you how to chill out a bit," Mickle said. "The script was written, I just had to then do it. I know how to throw and I've peaked for this competition.
"I knew I had a big throw in me. I thought I had a bigger throw than 65.96, but because it happened in the second round I then got a bit greedy, I think."
Mickle also revealed she was battling a foot injury entering the Games. The problem was similar to the one that ruined the 2012 AFL season for Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands. It sent a sharp pain through one of her legs during practice.
"I have a bit of a sore foot. I had a bit of a turf-toe injury leading into this meet. And I hurt it again about four days ago," Mickle said.
"It sounds a bit pathetic, but it was the toe on my turning pivot foot and it was really sore.
"Unfortunately, I had to put a bit of local anaesthetic in there to numb it and now it has worn off and I'm in immense pain. But it is all worth it. It's only a toe."
"The WA Institute of Sport has been incredible. We call it Team Mickle.""
