Ky Garratt isn't your typical 17 year old teenager. The Cowra High School student is setting PBs on and off the sports field. From applying himself to his studies in the hope of being a teacher or physiotherapist, it is the athletics track however that appears to be his true calling despite solid results in tennis and hockey.
"As much as I love tennis and hockey, hammer throw is my passion," said Kye.
The hammer throw is one of the four throwing events in regular outdoor track and field competitions, along with the discus, shot put and javelin.
The "hammer" used in this sport is not like any of the tools also called by that name. It consists of a metal ball attached by a steel wire to a grip. These three components are each separate and can move independently. Both the size and weight of the ball vary between men's and women's events. The men's hammer weighs 7.26 kilograms though given Kye's age and weight, it will be some time before he uses men's full strength hammers.
"My older sister Tayla used to do it and had some success," he said.
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"I was fortunate through my athletics interests to meet Ernie Shankleton who coached Bronwyn Eagles to the silver at the last Commonwealth Games.
"It has changed everything."
Since devoting time to it under the watchful eye of Shankleton five years ago as a 12-year-old, Garratt, has gone from strength to strength winning two All School's National titles, two Australian Championships and a gold at the recent Oceania Games in Fiji in June. The next all School's is at the end of September in Homebush and Ky can't wait.
"I'm pretty pumped and eager to compete," he said.
"As Ernie always says to me, the only person I am competing against is myself - anything after that is a bonus!"
Did someone say Brisbane Olympics 2032?
"I hope so - that's the goal.
"I will be 25 by then!"
But first it's the Western Region Tennis Championships in Bathurst from September 2-5.
"It's my first time selected in tennis and I was chosen as the number one seed out of six selected," he said.
"It should be a good week."
And as for throwing the racquet when things don't go his way?
"Nah, I only throw the hammer!"
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