Mitchell throws down the gauntlet

THE Australian women’s javelin record had been on Kathryn Mitchell’s mind for what felt like an eternity, but she could hardly have picked a more poignant moment to finally break it.

In a formidable statement of intent seven weeks out from the Commonwealth Games, the 2016 Olympics finalist threw 67.58 metres at a meet in Victoria – 1.4m further than the gold-medal mark in Rio.

Just as pertinent to Mitchell was that she’d rewritten the history books two days after the death of men’s national javelin record-holder Jarrod Bannister.

Australia’s athletics fraternity had spent the weekend in shock since Bannister, 33, died in The Netherlands on Friday.

For Mitchell, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist’s death hit especially close to home, given the pair had shared a coach in former East German world recordholder Uwe Hohn.

“To be honest, it has been a shock this week,” Mitchell said. “The record drips in irony. “Most people’s heart and spirit would have been heavy about the loss. “I can only imagine what the family are feeling.”

It’s been a long slog for Mitchell, who has finished outside the podium places at two Olympics and three Commonwealth Games.

Seven months ago the 35year-old’s PB remained at the 66.10m she’d thrown three years prior.