National champ stakes her claim

TWO-time national shot put champion Emma Berg is now a dual Bendigo Sports Star of the Month, winning the award for March.

At the Australian track and field championships in Sydney, Berg threw a best mark of 13.87 metres to claim gold in the women’s open event.

She has previously won gold in 2019 and silver in last year’s competition.

“When I came second last year I wanted to come back and get back on that first podium and claim my title back,” she said.

Berg has been competing in shot put since she was nine years old and has represented Australia in the Oceania championships.

Training at South Bendigo Athletics Club with the guidance coach Peter Barrett, she said she said she is appreciative of the community’s support.

Berg will put her hand up for national selection again for this year’s Oceania Championships in June, to be held in Mackay, Queensland.

She said after overcoming injuries she’ll have to wait a while until she’s ready to push for a spot at the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s been put on hold for now but hopefully in good time and practice it will come to be my time eventually,” she said.

Berg is the only shot putter to be awarded the Bendigo Sports Star of the Month.

“Just throwing the implement, the power, it’s just thrilling for me,” she said. “I just enjoy it, it’s a different sport and it’s got its challenges but you’ve got to overcome them and that’s what I like about it.”