Doncaster East’s Stephanie Ratcliffe hammer throw champ wins gold for Victoria

With a string of gold medals to her name, athletics champ Stephanie Ratcliffe is off to make her name at the US ivy league college Harvard University.

Athletics champ Stephanie Ratcliffe, 18

Nominee: Stephanie Ratcliffe, 18

Suburb: Doncaster East

Sport: Athletics

Club: Doncaster Athletics Club

Coach: Andrew Stirling

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How old were you when you took up your sport? Five years old

How did you get involved in this sport?

I initially got involved in athletics through my local little athletics club where I participated in all the events. Over the years I began to focus more on the throwing events which has now lead to hammer throw being my preferred event.

Recent competitions:

— 2019 Victorian Track and Field Championships.

Recent awards:

— Gold U20 Women’s Hammer Throw;

— Gold Open Women’s Hammer Throw;

— Gold U20 Women’s Hammer Throw; and

— Silver Open Women’s Hammer Throw.

Doncaster East athlete Stephanie Ratcliffe. Picture: David Crosling

What has been your biggest success?

My biggest sporting success to date was when I won U18 Women’s Hammer Throw at the 2017 Oceania Athletics Championships when representing Australia in Fiji.

Describe your training routine:

Currently I am training five sessions a week in the gym as well as four throwing sessions at the track in preparation for my upcoming competition in Townsville.

What do you love most about your sport?

What I most love about my sport is that I am the one who is totally accountable for my performances as my event in athletics is an individual sport.

Describe the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your sport:

The toughest challenge I have recently faced would have been during the final of the Open Women’s Hammer Throw at Nationals earlier this year. I qualified for the final in third position but I unfortunately fouled my first two throws and was left with one throw to remain in the competition. I had to calm my nerves and trust the vigorous preparation I had undertaken which in the end was enough to pull me through.

Stephanie competing in U20s Women’s Hammer Throw. Picture: David Crosling

What is your ultimate sporting goal?

My ultimate sporting goal is to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

‘I couldn’t have done this without …’

My dad David Ratcliffe, my coach Andrew Stirling and the support of my family and friends.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

I have been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming Oceania Athletics Championships to be held in Townsville in June this year. I will be competing in my first senior team in the Open Women’s Hammer Throw event.

I have also received a scholarship to attend Ivy League’s Harvard University in the US, where I intend to be studying biomedical engineering and where I will also be competing on the Track and Field team.

Know someone with great sporting talent? Nominate them here.

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