Rouse Hill’s Alex Hulley claims hammer throw gold at Sydney Track Classic

Rouse Hill hammer thrower Alex Hulley is set for another huge year after claiming gold at the Sydney Track Classic with a monstrous 68m effort.

Rouse Hill’s Alex Hulley claimed gold at the 2019 Sydney Track Classic with a massive 68.15m throw. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

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Rouse Hill’s Alex Hulley has had a blistering start to 2019 having claimed gold in dominant fashion at the Sydney Track Classic at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday.

Amid wet and windy conditions, the 21-year-old eclipsed a strong field with a mighty 68.15m effort.

The throw was more than 5m further than New Zealander Nicole Bradley’s 63.07m silver medal throw.

The 21-year-old eclipsed her closest competitor by more than 5m. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

It was also just 5cm shorter than the distance that earned Hulley silver at last year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Hulley said although her body was in good condition, the distance still took her by surprise.

“I’m really happy with that distance,” Hulley said. “A couple of weeks earlier in Canberra I threw 67.74m so I knew that I was in pretty good form but I didn’t really expect to throw 68m.

“It just goes to show that anything can happen on the day.”

Hulley now begins her preparation for the world championships later this year. Picture: Angelo Velardo

For Hulley, the throw was proof that all the hard work is paying off.

“My lowest throw besides a foul was 64m,” she said.

“Last year, that’s what I wanted to be able to throw, so my average distance is really coming up.”

Hulley now turns her attention to next week’s state championships as she ramps up her preparation for this year’s world championships.