HAMMER thrower Grace Wong (pic) was so nervous that her muscles tensed and she broke into a cold sweat.
But thanks to the soothing words from her coach Gu Yuan, Grace pulled herself together and saved her best for last – and her final throw was good enough to land her into the final as the last qualifier in the top 12.
She let out a huge sigh of relief as it could have gone all wrong in her first Commonwealth Games.
To get to the final, an athlete needs to hurl a distance of 68m and above or at least be one of the 12 best performers.
Grace fulfilled the latter part but not without some anxious moments.
Her first throw was a creditable 58.71m but her next landed at 56.71m and the pressure was on.
However, the 22-year-old Sarawakian regained her composure in her third attempt and let out a mighty throw of 59.53m which was enough to book her spot in the final.
Grace said she was a nervous wreck before the event which had 17 competitors.
“Nervousness crept into me. I was crazy nervous, that’s for sure,” admitted Grace.
“This is my first big Games, so I guess it was normal to have such a feeling. My body felt tight in the first two throws, but my coach was there to keep calm me down.
“I’m glad that the final throw led me to the final. It’s great but I know I’ve to do more in the final.”
Asked if the erratic weather could be a factor as Birmingham has been experiencing sunny and cold weather, Grace said: “I love this kind of weather, actually. The cold weather is not that chilly. It’s nice. “For me, the weather is not a factor. It’s me that needs work.”
Grace is the national record holder with 62.48m, which she set at the Malaysian Grand Prix last year.
In this year’s SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, she struck gold but only recorded 57.30m.
Grace is hoping that one of her throws would lead to a personal best in the final.
“I’m gunning to break my personal best but I have to be relaxed first. When I’m calm and collected, the strength and technique will come,” she said.
“My target is a top eight but breaking the national record will feel good too.”
