Alex Hulley claims Australian Youth Olympic gold in hammer throw

WITH a series of impressive hammer throws, Alex Hulley triumphed to win gold at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

2013.01.23 Alex Hulley

ALEX Hulley hurled herself onto the world stage with a devastating series of hammer throws to win gold at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Homebush at the weekend.

The Rouse Hill Times Junior Sports Star finalist led all the way, and set a new AYOF record.

Best of all she also qualified for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine from July 10 to 14, with her third world qualifying mark.

The reigning national junior champion began her first youth Olympics throwing the 3kg ball a distance of 59.39m before demolishing her international rivals with an impressive 62.04m in the fifth of sixth rounds.

In just her third year competing in the sport, Hulley was among the youngest at the youth Olympics.

"I was a bit nervous before my first throw but once the competition started, I was calm," Hulley, 15, of Rouse Hill, said.

"I was really happy with my gold medal and very excited as this was my first international competition.

"I knew I had a chance for a medal but winning gold is awesome and this was my second best competition (she threw a record 64.27m during the 2012 All Schools Championships).

"Having my family, coaches, Breanne Clement and Karyne Di Marco, relations and friends cheering me at the stadium was also great as they also lifted my performances."

To put Alex's performance into perspective, China's Jin Mu took silver with a throw of 56.48m and New Zealand's Lauren Bruce threw 51.83m for bronze.