Kimberley Mulhall

Kim Mullhall started athletics in the U6s at Little Athletics and although she tried a lot of sports, she ultimately stuck with throwing. She made her international debut at the 2007 World Youth championships, placing fourth in the discus. At the 2008 World Juniors, she didn’t move out of the qualifying rounds in the shot and discus. “Bydgoszcz was a bit of a disaster for me, so I worked really hard to redeem myself at 2010 World Juniors in Moncton where I finished fourth again (in the discus).”

In 2013 she was selected for the World University Games in the discus, but in 2014 she was selected for the Commonwealth Games in the shot. Four years later she heads to her second Commonwealth Games, but on this occasion in the discus.

She explained the movement between the disciplines.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a discus thrower however in 2014 I was in the middle of a difficult phase. The depth in women’s discus was so strong and I struggled to match with all the other girls who were performing great. After finishing fourth at the trials in discus I knew I had eight weeks to try and get a B qualifier in the shot, so I knuckled down and only focussed on shot to try and make the team. I qualified with a few days
to spare and made the team. In the process I managed to make a bit of a mess of my back. I still have not recovered fully and so cannot throw shot at a high level anymore. So, I’m back to what I love the most and am super excited and lucky to be able to be doing my favourite event at a home Commonwealth Games.”

Kim has a degree in Education/Health Science from Deakin University, but will commence a Master of Ultrasound in July 2018 at Monash University. Her grandfather Ken Mulhall played AFL for St Kilda Football Club. Her aunty, Gael Martin is the Australian shot put record-holder, won a shot put bronze at the 1984 Olympics and competed at four Commonwealth Games (1974 to 1986) winning two gold and one silver in the shot and one gold and two silvers in the discus – a total of three gold and three silver medals.

Kim’s career highlights? “2014 Commonwealth Games and living the life of an athlete is very memorable to me. The ride is not always great but I’m super lucky to be able to do it as best I can and that’s pretty memorable.”