New Personal Best for Mickle

WAIS javelin thrower Kim Mickle has finished second at the weekend’s IAAF Diamond League meet at the Stade de France in Paris setting a new personal best of 64.35m.

Mickle, who has already earned selection for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in August after beating the A qualifying standard at the national championships in Sydney last April, opened the competition with a foul before reaching 63.21m with her second effort to move into second place.

The Western Australian went 63.14m in Round 3 and 62.91m in Round 4 before throwing the spear 63.47m with her penultimate effort. She then unleashed a monster throw of 64.35m with her final attempt to record a new PB and secure second narrowly behind German Christina Obergfoll’s winning throw of 64.74m recorded in the opening round.

Mickle’s 64.35m effort moves her past compatriot Kathryn Mitchell into third place on the Australian all-time list.

Mickle said she was thrilled with her performance in Paris and was confident of further success.

“I’m wrapped,” said the WA star. “To be honest I wanted more. I felt incredible out there. The 63s I hit consistently were actually 66 plus throws. They just went out a bit wonky.”

Mickle was pumped at the prospect of competing in Moscow as one of the leading contenders.

“It’s kind of cool to be one of the contenders. Worlds is a long way away though. I have time to have another block of training. Every time I have another block I get better.”

Mickle said she was determined to be in the medal hunt in Moscow.

“I want one of those little things,” she said. “64 metres is just the start.”

-AthleticsAustralia