Arielle Cannell sets new state under 16 hammer throw record; now top three in the world

A Tasmanian teenager has thrown herself into both the state and world record books for hammer throw. See the details.

A Tasmanian young gun has thrown herself into the hammer throw record books after a stellar performance at the Tasmanian All Schools Track & Field Championships in Launceston in late October.

Eastern Suburbs Athletics club member Arielle Cannell set a new Tasmanian under 16 hammer throw record two weeks ago when she threw a personal best of 62.55m.

Hammer thrower Arielle Cannell, 15, at the Domain Athletics Centre. Cannell is now number three in the world for her age after throwing 62.55m in October. Picture: Chris Kidd

Setting a new state record for her age wasn’t the only feat she pulled off though, with the performance placing her at number three in the world for athletes born in 2008.

With dreams of one day representing Australia and competing at the Olympic Games, the 15 year-old said she was incredibly humbled to be among the world’s best.

“It was a nice day and I was able to do a nice long warm-up which I think really helped with my throw,” she said.

“My mindset on the day was just going in with an open mind. I think if you go in wanting to beat a specific goal or set a record you can put a lot of pressure on yourself so I always try to not think about that stuff too much

“To throw a new personal best was great but to also get the Tasmanian record for my age was pretty cool.

“I was very proud of myself. I had a feeling something big was coming but I didn’t think it would come so soon into the season.

“It’s a big honour to know that I’m third in the world for my age. Knowing I’m right up there with the best gives me a lot of motivation.

Just two rounds into the season, Cannell also competes in discus and shot put and improved her hammer throw PB (60.95) by 1.6m just three years after taking up the sport.

“It started when I was around 11,” she said.

The talented teenager has dreams of one day competing at the Olympic Games. Picture: Chris Kidd

“A week before I turned 12, my coaches thought I was the right build for a hammer thrower so we decided that I should give it a go and I haven’t looked back since.

“I do a lot of work out on the track practising my throw but it’s also plenty of work in the gym and eating well is also really big in being able to perform at a high level.”

Cannell, who looks up to fellow Australian hammer throwers Steph Radcliffe and Lara Roberts, will now travel to Western Australia in December to compete at the Australian All Schools Championships before national championships and Oceania games in 2024.

“My goal is to break the Australian record in December which is 64m,” she said.