Athletics NSW Open, U23 titles: Tokyo Olympic javelin finalist MacKenzie Little’s big dream

Sydney athletics star MacKenzie Little never doubted herself but she still shocked a few people at the Tokyo Olympics. And she plans on surprising a few more this year.

Mackenzie Little is competing at the NSW championships this weekend.

Javelin thrower Mackenzie Little is particularly good at two things - defying the odds and staying very busy.

The athletics gun from Sydney’s north shore went into her debut Olympics ranked 30th in the world and emerged from it with an eighth placing and the honour of making a Games final.

Now she is combining a medical degree at Sydney University with training and competitions she hopes will lead her to both the Commonwealth Games and world championships teams in 2022.

Mackenzie Little made the women's Javelin final at the Tokyo Olympics. Pic: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I’m not going to be a one hit wonder,” said the 25-year-old competing from Roseville at this weekend's Athletics NSW Open and under championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

“I have every intention of competing at both the Commonwealth Games and world championships. I want to compete well and consistently on the international stage.”

Little believes keeping herself so busy away from the sport she has been doing since a Year 7 student at Pymble Ladies College helps keep her balanced.

“I am not cut out to be a full-time athlete, I need to keep myself entertained. This is my comfort zone, juggling things,” she said.

“I learned in 2019 in Italy when I did the European circuit that it just wasn’t my thing to train one or two times a day.

“I used to overthink things, get really anxious.

“It’s important I have many facets to be more resilient. Being so busy, it keeps everything in perspective.”

Kelsey-Lee Barber is embraced by Mackenzie Little of Team Australia after winning the bronze medal in Tokyo.

In Tokyo Little made the javelin final with Australian teammates Kelsey-Lee Barber and reigning Commonwealth game champion Kathyrn Mitchell.

The Olympics were her biggest senior competition with Little previously competing at a world youth championship back in 2013 and events in the US while attending Stanford, but never cracking a senior world championship or Commonwealth Games team prior to Tokyo.

“I’m excited to see what is ahead for me this season,’’ said Little, who will use the NSW championships as a sounding board to her form for upcoming events, including the Australian championships in Sydney.

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Originally published as Athletics NSW Open, U23 titles: Tokyo Olympic javelin finalist MacKenzie Little’s big dream