Despite throwing his first discus just three years ago, 10-year-old Ky Garratt can already hurl a 500g weight 34 metres.
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It’s landed him a place at the Pacific School Games next month in Adelaide, where he hopes to improve his personal best of 33.99m.
The Pacific School Games pits together more than 4000 athletes from each Australian state and territory as well as 15 international teams.
Coached by former Australian throws coach Ernie Shankelton, Ky’s been training four days week.
“He’s a good little athlete all round,” Shankelton said.
“If he makes the top eight we’ll be really happy.”
Ky’s state selection began in March at the St Raphael’s school carnival where he threw 28m and broke the school record. He progressed to the Polding carnival in Newcastle and he qualified for the state carnival at Sydney Olympic Park.
That’s where he threw his personal best and finished fourth for his age in NSW.
”I’ve never been to Adelaide before. It’ll be a good experience,” Ky said before talking about the possibility of extending his personal best.
“I’d like to. I’ve probably put myself in the best chance possible with the training I’ve done.”
This is Ky’s final year throwing a 500g discus.
Next year he’ll move to a one kilogram weight.
Men compete with a two kilogram discus and the world record is a massive 74.08m throw.
Coach Shankelton has 30 years experience as a throwing coach having been involved with the AIS for a number of years, and the Australian Olympic team in the build up to Athens 2004.
Former Cowra High School captain Lucy Wilson is also competing at the 10th edition of the Pacific School Game.
Lucy, 18, will swim breaststroke in the 200m medley relay and race individually in the 17-19 years 100m breaststroke.
