Mary Mitchell

Education

Mainly remembered as a javelin thrower, she represented her country at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, where she finished fourth in the women"s javelin with a best throw of 118 feet 1⁄2 inch (3598 m).

Career

At the Auckland women"s championships in 1941, Mitchell broke her own New Zealand record with a throw of 125 feet 8 inches (3830 m). She also at one time held the New Zealand women"s long jump record, and was a competent high jumper, winning the Auckland championship in 1936. Mitchell was also known for her kauri carving, as an artist, a poet and a horsewoman.

She died in Dargaville in 2007.

Achievements

• In 1939, she won the inaugural women"s javelin throw at the New Zealand athletics championships, with a winning distance of 111 feet 6 1⁄2 inches (3400 m). She won the national title again in 1940 and 1941, and her distance of 122 feet 6 inches (3734 m) in 1940 remained the championship record until surpassed by Cleone Rivett-Carnac in 1952.