Little Launches International Assault with Monstrous Throws

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete Mackenzie Little attributed her playing the role of a tourist in the lead up to competing in the javelin event of the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama for providing her with an edge.

Little, who was a finalist at the Tokyo Olympics and is a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, dominated the event to claim her fourth consecutive victory of 2023. The 26-year-old sealed her latest triumph with a mighty throw of 64.10m.

After the event Little, who is coached by Angus McEntyre, said her relaxed approach before the competition, allied with a good preparation, proved to be a successful formula.

“I knew I was relaxed and happy coming into this comp as I’d spent the week being a tourist around Japan taking in all the amazing sights that we missed out on during the Tokyo Covid Olympics,” Little told Athletics Australia.

“My training has been going relatively well and so I was confident that if I just kept myself long and patient in the throw I could do well today. I did compete well domestically off a smaller amount of prep than usual so perhaps it’s a sign for a good season to come.”

Little, was the only competitor to throw over 60m with each of her six attempts, but her 64.10 effort ensured she claimed first place over New Zealand’s Tori Peters, and third placed Kelsey Lee Barber – Australia’s back-to-back world champion.

Little said she could take plenty of positives out of the event.

“I don’t think I expected such a consistent series with a big one in there also,” she said.

“To throw 64m in the middle of a it is a very good sign for me. I think I’ve yet to fully hit my stride this season and I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting better and better through the Diamond Leagues and leading into World Championships.”

Fellow NSWIS athlete, Cameron McEntyre – a 2022 World Athletics Championships representative – finished fourth in the Men’s event with a best throw of 78.62m.

In the 3000m event, NSWIS athlete Rose Davies ran her Personal Best time of  8:44.07 to finish second behind Kenya’s Teresiah Muthoni Gateri.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS