Maliyah Osbaldiston chosen to represent NSW for discus, shot put

Maliyah Osbaldiston likes to throw things — javelins, shot puts, discuses.

Maliyah Osbaldiston will represent NSW this month in discus and shot put. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

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Maliyah Osbaldiston likes to throw things — javelins, shot puts, discuses.

Her ability to propel heavy objects, has seen the Kingsgrove athlete chosen to represent NSW at the PSSA Australian championships this month for her two pet events — discus and shot put.

It caps off a big year for the 11-year-old who travelled to Auckland in January for the Trans Tasman Challenge, where she won gold in discus and shot put.

In March she took out under 11s state champion in the same two events, after representing Bankstown Little Athletics at the Little Athletics state championships.

Equally impressive, is that the young athlete has already mastered the spin technique in shot put and discus, not an easy feat for many experienced athletes.

Maliyah credits the spin to helping her achieve her champion results.

She said unlike what many people think, throwing events aren’t just about the muscle.

“It’s more about technique,” she said.

“Not a lot of people use spin at my age, but I think it gives me more strength in the throw.”

Maliyah is the latest nominee for the Junior Sports Star award, sponsored by Rebel.

The other categories are Team Spirit, sponsored by SportsTG, Service to Sport and Young Sporting Spirit, sponsored by Simonds Homes.