Hammer thrower Renee Hardy claims bronze at Oceania Championships
Hammer thrower Renee Hardy has followed up a dominant Australian Track & Field Championships with a podium finish at her debut international competition.
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Renee Hardy is nothing short of a dominant force in Australian junior women’s hammer throw.
The 16-year-old from South Windsor claimed the under-17s national title in April with a record-breaking 54.97m effort at the Australian Track & Field Championships.
Just two months later, she then followed up that win by claiming a bronze medal in the under-18 hammer throw at the Oceania Athetics Championships.
“It was my first time representing Australia and I had to compete up an age group so winning a medal was a huge achievement,” Renee said.
“I’ve had a great year so far.”
Renee has had an incredible transition into hammer throw after a recurring knee injury forced her out of race walking.
“I decided to put all my focus on hammer throw and see what I could do,” Renee said.
“I now have seven consecutive state titles to my name.”
Renee said the intense technicality of the sport is what keeps her going.
“Its always a challenge,” she said.
“I constantly challenge myself to be better and throw further. There’s always a technical aspect I’m trying to improve on.
“My ultimate goal is to make the Olympics. While I’m still young and working towards that, I hope to make more Australian teams and improve on my bronze medal with a silver or gold.”
Renee is a Rouse Hill Times Junior Sports Star nominee for the 2019 Local Sports Stars competition, which is proudly sponsored by Featherdale Wildlife Park and Bankstown Sports.
The awards recognise and reward talented athletes across a wide range of sports, as well as the hardworking volunteers who keep associations running each weekend.
For more information or to nominate someone you know, go to localsportsstars.com.au
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