Toowoomba thrower to mix it with world’s best
ATHLETICS: The hard work is done and the fight back is complete.
Now the mental challenge begins for Toowoomba discus thrower Conor McLoughlin as he steels himself to take on the best at next week’s IAAF World Under 20 Championships.
The 2018 six-day event will be held in Tempere, Finland from next Tuesday.
McLoughlin begins competition on Saturday week when two qualifying groups of male 1.75kg discus throwers meet for a place in the July 15 final.
McLoughlin and the Aussie squad are now in Finland preparing for the championships after leaving Australia last week.
The 19-year-old’s inclusion in the team alongside fellow discus contender Alexander Kolesnikoff follows months of hard work and dedication to beat an untimely hand injury.
McLoughlin broke his right hand in a home farm incident in April but somehow found a way to overcome the setback in time to cement his team position.
He followed his 57.5m qualifying throw at the March national championships with a pre-departure throw of 54.1cm.
McLoughlin’s Toowoomba coach Grahame Pitt said the thrower’s resolve to overcome the odds for a team place is reward for dedication.
Pitt is now hoping McLoughlin can capitalise with an appearance in Sunday week’s championship final.
“He’s in camp now with the Australian squad,” Pitt said.
“It’s something like 36 hours flying time to get there so rest and acclimatisation are the first priority.
“He’s now readying himself for competition.
“He was throwing really well before he left.
“It’s an absolute credit to his dedication that he was able to get back to where he was after not being able to use his injured right hand for so long.
“We worked on a lot of left arm throws and upper body strength on his left side which helped maintain his right side strength.
“Technically he’s very strong.
“He’s worked hard and is throwing better than ever including metre and metre-anda-half personal bests in training.
“But it’s a whole new ball game next week.
“You rarely see personal best throws at this level of competition; firstly because of the stress of competition and secondly because they are throwing in a stadium with little wind influence.
“I’ll be thrilled if he can make it through now to the final eight — that realistically is Conor’s goal
“There are two qualifying pools to start with which finds the leading 12 throwers before that is cut to eight for the final.
“Conor has done all the hard work and preparation possible.
“He’s come back fantastic and it’s all in his hands now.”
‘‘ IT’S AN ABSOLUTE CREDIT TO HIS DEDICATION THAT HE WAS ABLE TO GET BACK TO WHERE HE WAS
GRAHAME PITT