World Championships Days 7 & 8 Review: Little a tiny 5cm from bronze

23 July 2022

World Championships Days 7 & 8 Review: Little a tiny 5cm from bronze

Throwing second in the final of the women’s javelin at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Mackenzie Little looked like she might steal the event from the field, including teammate and defending champion Kelsey-lee Barber.

Mackenzie remained in the lead until Kelsey-Lee hit a monster throw of 66.91m in round three. Then in round four she slipped to third. In round six she would drop further, to fourth, then fifth – all by the smallest of margins, as she missed a medal by just 5 centimetres and the silver by 83cm. Mackenzie had improved on her eighth in Tokyo.

The day before, Mackenzie’s training partner Cameron McEntyre, and brother of her coach Angus, had missed qualification for the men’s javelin final. Cameron, struggled early, throwing 65.72m in round one, then fouling round two. He launched a solid third round effort of 77.50m, to miss the final by less than three metres. His PB, set on this very run up three months earlier would have progressed Cameron into the final.

Both Cameron and Mackenzie are next in action at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Mackenzie Little (Athletics Australia)