TARGET GOLD

Hat-trick has Peacock aiming for top of Games podium

TASMANIAN javelin juggernaut Hamish Peacock completed a hat-trick of Australian championships yesterday and declared he was going for gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.

Peacock, 27, of Hobart, had already thrown far enough over the past year to qualify for the home event.

To seal the deal on the Games battlefield at Metricon Stadium gave the Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze medallist an extra shot of confidence.

This time he wants to be number one. “Definitely. I’m in it for gold,” Peacock said.

“I came third last time and I was happy with that. This time I want to win it.”

Peacock won his third senior national javelin title with a throw of 79.38m — well short of his personal best missile of 84.38m.

“I didn’t throw as well as I wanted to,” he said. “I’d already thrown numerous A qualifiers so there wasn’t a great deal of pressure.

“I threw well enough, and winning a national title is still special — to beat the other guys, that was the main thing. “I’m happy enough for that. “My timing and technique has been off for the past few weeks but I’ve got seven or eight weeks to the Commonwealth Games so I will be able to work on that and try to go better than 84m.”

It was a critical taste of competition at the Commonwealth Games stadium.

“It had a good feel and when there’s a big crowd there it’s going to create a pretty cool atmosphere,” he said.

Peacock knows he has to go big at the Games.

“The last time I won bronze with just under 82m,” he said.

“There are some very strong Commonwealth athletes and it’s going to depend on what kind for form everyone is in.

“There’s definitely going to be some stiff competition.

“It’s hard to say what’s going to win. I’d say it’s going to take at least 85m to win it.”

For now, Peacock will focus on his technique so he can get it right on the night.

“It’s about getting all the training in, freshen up and get things right at the right time. That’s the key,” he said.

Definitely. I’m in it for gold. I came third last time and I was happy with that. This time I want to win it HAMISH PEACOCK