Mickle Second on Countback

Western Australian Institute of Sport javelin thrower Kim Mickle has claimed second place at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial meet in Budapest overnight, with a throw of 61.31m.

Mickle was only denied victory on countback having matched Ukrainian victor Marharita Dorozhon’s best effort, but was 19cm short with her second best effort.

Mickle’s travel itinerary since leaving Perth early this month has seen the Commonwealth and Olympic Games representative jumping between airports and competitions, and the fatigue was a factor Mickle felt had caught up with her post meet.

“Hungary was always going it be the tricky one being five to seven days off the plane,” she said. “Out of the whole trip I knew this one would be tough.”

“I am feeling flat and dead but I am still really happy with that. Anything over the 61 mark is quite nice. To throw 61.31 and lose on a countback was a bit rough.”

Mickle’s performance comes less than a week after the 28 year-old threw a personal best of 64.35m to finish just 39cm behind Germany’s Olympic medallist Christina Obergf√∂ll at the Diamond League meeting in Paris. The West Australian has now placed in the top three of all four international competitions she has contested this year.

“My whole goal is consistency and it’s nice to know I can pull something out when I am feeling flat,” said Mickle.

“Now I have a week and a half to go back to Cologne, freshen up and get some training in ahead of Lucerne.”

-AthleticsAustralia