Javelin thrower Holly Robinson missed a gold medal in the cruellest circumstances today, but you’d never have known it listening to her afterwards.
The 23-year-old New Zealander opened the women’s F46 javelin event with a mighty throw of 43.32m. Not only was it a personal best, but it was the world record.
That effort shook up the rest of the field, especially Robinson’s main rival, Hollie Arnold of Wales.
Arnold threw 37.71m, 41.74m, 41.94m, 40.06, 42.40. Then, unbelievably, on her last throw she uncorked a perfect throw and the javelin flew 44.43m. The gold medal, and the world record, were hers.
Robinson seemed to have a little difficulty regrouping after her startling first throw. Her sequence was 43.32m, 40.62m, 40.41m, 40.81m, 42.61m and 41.12m.
“I came here wanting to throw a personal best and to win a medal and I achieved that, so I’m stoked,” Robinson said. “I love competing for my country. It was my dream when I was a little girl, so I had a great time out there. I’m over the moon.”
She said it was a little crazy at the beginning. “I just wanted to begin with a sold throw. It turned out to be a whopper. I had to calm myself down after that.”
Robinson said that after her first throw her thoughts naturally to the gold medal.
“You have to give credit to Hollie. She brought out the big one in the last round.”
In the women's 10,000m final Camilla Buscomb finished 14th in a time of 32min 23.91s. The race was won by Ugandan Stella Chesang in 31min 45.30s.