Athletics: Gill sixth at world junior champs in hammer throw

Ayla Gill in 2007. Photo / The Aucklander

Ayla Gill finished sixth in the hammer throw at the athletics world junior championships in Moncton, Canada yesterday.

Gill, 19, managed a best throw of 57.28m, nearly 10m short of British winner Sophie Hitchon's 66.01m. The throw nearly eclipsed the New Zealand 19-years age group record of 58.75m held by Olympic champion Valerie Vili.

Her performance completed an excellent championships for the Gill family, with younger brother Jacko having claimed New Zealand's second gold medal at the event when he won the shot put. Both compete for the Takapuna athletic club.

Ayla Gill arrived at Moncton after a full NCAA season in the United States, throwing for Southern Methodist University.

"I came in ranked 24th and I finished sixth," she said. "I'm really happy with that, and I was close to my PB."

She opened with two fouls before throwing 56.57m and 57.28m.

Ayla said her brother's surprise victory added no extra pressure.

"My brother's a freak," she said. "There's no topping him. I'm so proud of him, he worked so hard for this."

Meanwhile, the New Zealand 4x400m team of Alex Jordan, Joseph Millar, Scott Burch, and Tama Toki finished third in their heat in three minutes 10.83s and missed a place in the final.

- NZPA