Mickle Scoops Athletics Australia Top Award

Western Australian Institute of Sport javelin thrower Kim Mickle has claimed a second consecutive Athletics Australia Female Athlete of the Year Award following a highly impressive season that saw her break a national record and win Commonwealth gold.

Edging out the Olympic champion Sally Pearson (100m hurdles) by just one vote, as well as fellow finalists and Glasgow gold medallists Dani Samuels (discus), Alana Boyd (pole vault) and Eleanor Patterson (high jump), Mickle was declared Female Athlete of the Year in the most hotly contested of the categories at gala event.

The national javelin champion, a multiple IAAF Diamond League podium finisher and gold medallist from the 2014 Commonwealth Games, her victory was sealed on the basis of her stunning 66.83m throw at the IAAF Melbourne World Challenge to etch her name into the history books as the new national record holder in the women’s javelin.

The reigning world championship silver medallist expressed surprise at scooping the award, particularly in light of the quality within the field of nominees.

“Wow. This is amazing. Last year was a massive shock, and to win a second in a rowis unbelievable,” Mickle said.

“The other girls nominated are the people that I look up to so to win an award like this ahead of them is pretty special. I feel like I am following in their footsteps most of the time and it’s an honour.

“I have to thank my WAIS coach Grant Ward, who has been there through thick and thin and not only do I call him the best coach in the world but also a great mate.”

Mickle will resume competitive action across the Australian domestic season as she builds towards next year’s peak event, the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

-AthleticsAus