Kelsey-Lee overcomes doubts to live her javelin medal dream
BRONZE medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber says she could write a book about what she has been through over the past two years.
The title would surely have to be CLUTCH.
Barber produced one of the biggest clutch moments in Australian sport to win the 2019 world javelin title in Doha with her final throw.
In Tokyo she did it again, this time staring at an inglorious exit in the qualifying round on Tuesday morning before a booming throw got her into Friday night’s final.
And it was there where Barber showed how much she thrives in the spotlight, turning around a horrible year to fight out for the medals, just missing silver by 5cm and winning bronze in 64.56m.
From the yips to the medals dais was something the 29-year-old thought wasn’t going to happen several times in the lead-up to Tokyo. “I could write a book on the past two years and what I have been through,” Barber said.
“I have had such moments of doubt, such moments of pressure.
“Carrying so much baggage at different points of the year, and I think I just have to say thank you to my husband (and coach Mike).
“I don’t want to go into details on what specifically came up because I know every athlete has their challenges, but I just can’t tell you how much I was challenged in ways that I never anticipated.”
Barber led a three-pronged Aussie contingent in the javelin final. Kathryn Mitchell finished sixth and Olympic debutant Mackenzie Little eighth.
“I love it, I live for those moments, and I can’t tell how much I’ve missed it over the last few years,” she said.
“Just being out there, soaking it up, and just reminding myself I love being an athlete.”