Holly claims Commonwealth silver

Congratulations to New Zealand javelin thrower Holly Robinson, who has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Applied Science graduate threw 43.32m with her first of six throws in the F46 javelin final at Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, on Monday night, breaking Hollie Arnold's (Wales) world record by 30cm. 

However, Arnold snatched victory (and the record) from Robinson with a final throw of 44.43m.

Robinson, who was born with a shortened left arm, won silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, losing to Arnold by 1.79m.

Robinson said finishing second again was tough, but she was happy with her performance.

"Although I've got to settle for second place, I did throw further than I've ever thrown before to get that silver medal and I'm absolutely stoked with that,” she told Stuff. 

Robinson was born with her left arm missing below the elbow but has always been “sporty”. Her earliest memory is playing rugby with her twin brother in Hokitika when she was three years old.

At the age of 12, she “decided to start getting serious about something” and focused on javelin throwing and, at 16, was offered a scholarship to train with a Paralympic coach in Dunedin. In 2012 she represented New Zealand at the London Paralympics. 

The year 2012 was also Holly’s last of school.

“I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I looked at the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Activity, Health and Wellness) degree at Otago Polytechnic.  It was a practical and applied qualification, and I liked that. It’s sort of the way I learn.”

Read more about the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Activity and Wellbeing)