That's the shot Millie!

Shot putter Millie Strain is off to the PSSA Nationals in Sydney.

A CLASSMATE of Millie Strain said she can beat all the boys in an arm wrestle.

Maybe that’s because this young sixth grader is off to the nationals in two weeks to battle it out in the shot put arena with the best in the country at the Public Schools Sports Association event.

Just one year after she discovered she could throw a two kilo piece of metal further than all the kids at her school, the 11-year-old has trained herself up to become one of the top three shot putters for her age in the state.

“I love it because when you’re throwing it, you can feel when it’s all in place and you can really improve on your technique,” she said, the permanent bruise on her jaw line shining blue.

Her current training regimen involves her Dad taking her up to the Yamba lighthouse where there’s no chance she’ll smash a window. “I’ve had a few training sessions with Terry West and I’ve improved about a metre and a half,” Millie said.

Battling it out at Homebush with the best in the country has not got Millie worried one bit, even if some of her competitors tower above her. “I’m not nervous. It will be a great experience and I think it’s something to be proud of,” she said.

Her school mates at St James Primary Yamba are right behind her and are fundraising to help the young athlete make the trip to Sydney. “She’s very humble about what she does and we wish her well,” St James principal Paul Edgar said.