Tag: Kelsey-Lee Barber

Kelsey-Lee Barber: QAS Javelin Star Sets Sights on Paris Olympics

Olympic bronze medallist and two-time world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber, who trains at the Queensland Academy of Sports (QAS) in Nathan,  is intensifying her preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite facing a recent injury challenge.

Read: Nathan Star Zac Stubblety-Cook Aims for Second Olympic Triumph at Paris 2024

The 32-year-old javelin thrower has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, aiming to add to her impressive collection of medals. Barber, known for her clutch performances in major competitions, has consistently improved her results since her Olympic debut in Rio 2016.

Career Highlights

Barber’s journey in athletics began when she moved to Australia during the Sydney Olympics. She quickly rose through the ranks, winning her first international bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Her career reached new heights in 2019 when she threw an impressive 67.70m in Luzern, placing her second in the world for the year. Later that year, she claimed the world title in Doha with a throw of 66.56m.

In 2022, Barber defended her world crown, becoming the first athlete ever to do so in javelin. She followed this up with a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, completing her collection of medals from the event.

Recent Challenges

Despite her success, Barber has faced recent setbacks. At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, she placed seventh in the final with a throw of 61.19m. Shortly after, she announced the end of her season due to a small calf tear.

The start of 2024 has also presented challenges, with Barber battling an elbow issue. She competed in two major domestic competitions, placing seventh in Melbourne and third at the Nationals.

Team Support

Barber attributes much of her success to her Nathan QAS support team. Her husband, Mike Barber, also serves as her coach, creating a unique dynamic in their professional and personal lives.

Kelsey-Lee Barber and Mike Barber
Photo Credit: Kelsey-Lee Barber/IG

Patrick Castelli, Barber’s strength and conditioning coach, emphasises the importance of their tight-knit team. He notes that managing Barber’s body and its response to training is one of their biggest challenges.

Barber remains focused on her goal of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her determination and history of performing under pressure make her a strong contender for adding to her Olympic medal tally.

Read: Meet Jeff Dunne, The Teen Sensation Competing for Breaking at the Paris Olympics

As Barber continues her preparations, she aims for medals and values the relationships she’s built throughout her career. For her, these connections are an integral part of her sporting journey and will remain with her long after her competitive days are over.

Published 12-July-2024

Olympic Champ Visits Mt Gravatt Little Athletics Centre to Help Deliver Good News from Coles

Olympic medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber recently visited the budding athletes at the Mt Gravatt Little Athletics Centre to help the Centre celebrate some good news and provide inspiration to the young, up-and-coming talents at the facility.

Read: Upper Mount Gravatt State School Opens New Learning Centre to Replace Fire-Damaged Building

Mt Gravatt Little Athletics Centre is one of the grant recipients of the Coles Little Athletics Community Round. The $3,600 grant will be used for the purchase of sports equipment for the centre.

Coles’ allocation of sports equipment grants has been stretched to $2 million, thanks to the incredible sales of reusable community bags designed by Aussie kids. Sales of bananas at Coles supermarkets on National Banana Day in May 2021 also contributed to the fund.

Photo Credit: Supplied

“Our centre has been providing Little Athletics to the community for over 40 years and some of our equipment are well past their use-by date,” Mt Gravatt Little Athletics President Emma Munro said.

“The Coles grant will enable us to upgrade our line marking equipment thus significantly reducing the hours it takes for our volunteers to mark our fields.” 

Ms Barber, who is the reigning world javelin champ, said that the funding boost will allow the children of Mt Gravatt Little Athletics Centre to realise their full sporting potential.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for athletics in Australia off the back of Tokyo 2020 and with Brisbane 2032 on the horizon,” Ms Barber said.

“I know how important it is for athletes like myself to support the next generation so that our sport can continue to grow and thrive. It’s fantastic for Athletics Australia athletes to have a chance to do this through Coles Little Athletics Community Round.”

Photo Credit: Supplied

Statistics demonstrate the importance of having an early interest and involvement in athletics and sports. Seventy-five per cent of the Australian track and field team, who represented the country at the  Tokyo Olympics, and 23 per cent of para-athletes in the Paralympics, started their sports training at a Little Athletics facility. 

“That’s why support like this from Coles is so important,” Coles Little Athletics Australia President Andrew Pryor said. “The grants will help ensure little athletes of today have all the resources they need to develop into Olympians of the future if that is the pathway they choose.”

Read: Mount Gravatt Mazda Holds 3rd Annual Toy Drive for Kids with Cancer, DV Victims

Coles State General Manager Jerry Farrell said the supermarket chain is happy to continue the partnership with Little Athletics centres in Queensland.

“Little Athletics centres and their dedicated volunteers play such a vital role in the local community to help kids keep active and healthy. We want to be better together with the community and we’re proud to play our part by providing nearly $370,000 in sports equipment grants to Little Athletics centres in Queensland over the past three years,” Mr Farrell said.