How Rouse Hill hammer thrower Alex Hulley rose to the occasion to win silver at world championships

ROUSE Hill’s athletics star Alex Hulley snatched the ­silver at the 2016 IAAF World under-20 Championships, becoming the first Australian to medal at the hammer event at this event.

Rouse Hill's Alex Hulley won silver at the 2016 IAAF world under-20 championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Picture: Georgia Hulley

ROUSE Hill’s athletics star Alex Hulley snatched the ­silver at the 2016 IAAF World under-20 Championships, becoming the first Australian to medal at the hammer event at this event.

Ranked fifth in the world entering the championships at Bydgoszcz, Poland, Hulley overcame initial nerves for a second round throw of 63.47 metres to finish second behind Norwegian Beatrice Llano (64.33m).

Hulley, the only two-time winner of the Rouse Hill’s Junior Sports Star Award, was a rising netball player when a coach suggested she should try out hammer throwing.

Alex Hulley throwing for silver at the 2016 IAAF world under-20 championships. Picture: Georgia Hulley

Alex Hulley with gold medallist Beatrice Llano (Norway) and bronze winner Suvi Koskinen (Finland) after the presentations. Picture: Georgia Hulley.

The rest, as they say, is history as she is been described by Athletics Australia as the finest junior hammer thrower.

“To win a medal at a major championship is so exciting,” said Hulley, 18, who also won silver at the 2014 Youth Olympics in China.

“All those hours training in hot weather, rain and through pain are worth the effort when you can stand on the medal podium. It has taken a while to sink in that I have actually won silver.

Alex Hulley with her family, sister Georgina, dad Matthew and mum Louise, and coaches Karyne Di Marco and Breanne Clement after winning silver.

“Social media has gone crazy and I’m struggling to keep up with all the activity

“We prepared well by being in Europe for a month but it was a long time in hotels and to be honest we haven’t seen much of any place in Germany or Poland.

“I’m looking forward to undertaking some personal travel afterwards with my family.

Alex Hulley chilling out in the ice bath during the event. Picture: Georgia Hulley

“Thank you to my wonderful coaches Breanne Clement and Karyne Di Marco, Athletics Australia and NSWIS support staff who made all this happen.

“I can’t also forget my sister Georgia who kept me relaxed before the event and my family who were there for the championships.”

Alex Hulley and her overjoyed dad Matthew with the silver medal.

Hulley said she will travel to London and Paris before returning to her studies at ACU and training.

Australia won three silvers and a bronze to finish 21st in the standings topped by the US tally of 21 medals.

Australia’s other medal winners were Kristy Williams (silver, discus), Kurtis Marschall (silver, pole vault) and Darcy Roper (bronze, long jump).