Commonwealth Games Day 6: Podium finish for Mackenzie Little

8 August 2022

Commonwealth Games Day 6: Podium finish for Mackenzie Little

Day six of the athletics had a silver lining for NSW with javelin thrower Mackenzie Little finishing on the podium in Birmingham.

Women Javelin

Just like she did in Eugene at the World Championships two weeks ago, Mackenzie Little opened the final with a PB of 64.03m and held the lead deep into the competition.

Remember what had happened in Eugene, where she slipped from first to fourth, Mackenzie rallied in the fourth round to extend her lead with another PB – now out to 64.27m.

But in the last round, like she had achieved at the 2019 world championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games, Kelsey-Lee Barber threw her best on the last attempt, pass Mackenzie by just 16 cm, to take the gold, with Mackenzie a terrific second.

After the competition, Mackenzie spoke about this ability to start well and progress.

“Angus and I talk about that all the time. I know I can execute it on the first one, I know I have it within me, there is no reason I can’t throw a couple of centimetres further each time so that is what we try and do.”

Mackenzie was very satisfied with her silver, but it has been challenging being away.

“I gave it my best. I needed a lot of support over the last two weeks at the World Champs and Commonwealth Games. It has been difficult being away, but I’ve had so many friends and family, people at Uni supporting me, my coach knowing this is probably a bit much and making sure we relax. My family is here now. I’m having the best time in the world. I’m thankful for everything that has happened today.”

While on the road, she has had to maintain her medical studies. She was asked when she needed to get back to the books.

“Oh my gosh, tonight. Maybe I’ll give myself an hour off.”

Mackenzie is a fan of her own event and glad others like it too.

“I think javelin is a great sport, it is that great mix of athleticism and strength and we love it. I’ve had so much feedback from people in Australia and here in England. People are really excited about it and they think it is just as cool as we do.”

Women 100m hurdles

With every race, Michelle Jenneke, who was thought to be in the twilight of her career, just gets better and better. In the final of the 100m hurdles, against a world class field, she placed fifth in 12.68 – just outside of her recent PB. It was also a time on Sally Pearson among Australians, has bettered.

“To back up my run from worlds, run fast again and to be so close to the world champ, I’m really happy with my performance,” said Michelle.

“I would have liked another PB but it wasn’t meant to be. That is the fastest Commonwealth Games race ever, I think the pre-race record was 12.65.”

“I’ve had a pretty rough two years (with injury). There were times where people in my inner circle said ‘do you want to be doing this’. I would say back to them, ‘I have more in me.”

Finalists: Solomon, Hull, Dale, McEntyre and Davies
Proud that he has picked up his form since Eugene, Steve Solomon was seventh in the final of the 400m in 46.22 – his third 400m in four days. In the women’s long jump final, on her third attempt Samantha Dale launched out to 6.32m to place 9th overall in the competition. In the women’s 1500m final, Jess Hull gave herself every chance of a medal, in a strong position until the pace was on during the last lap, eventually finishing in 8th in 4:07.31.  Rose Davies, competing in the 5000m, finished 17th in 15:41.23. In the last field event of the Games, Cameron McEntyre threw will in the men’s javelin to hit a best of 79.89m – just below his PB. He placed seventh in the world class event. 

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Mackenzie Little (courtesy of @athleticsaustralia / @christo1966)