Commonwealth Games Para athletics selection announcement

The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Athletics New Zealand have named Paralympic silver medallist Holly Robinson in the team to compete in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The 22 year old F46 javelin thrower began competing in athletics a decade ago and has since represented New Zealand at the London 2012 Paralympic Games placing seventh, and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where she won the silver medal.

2017 has been another strong year for Robinson who placed second in the F46 javelin at the World Para Athletics World Championships in London with a throw of 42.41m, just below her New Zealand record of 42.68m set earlier in the year.

The Taieri Club member backed up the world championship silver medal performance with wins at the Oceania Championships in Fiji, the Australian Championships and the New Zealand Championships. She also finished fifth in the open womens javelin at the New Zealand Championships.

"I'm super excited to be selected for the Commonwealth Games, it's something I've always aspired to," said Holly.

"I've seen some really good progress this year with my throwing so I'm definitely looking at medals over there and I'm looking forward to doing my best and competing for my country."

Athletics New Zealand High Performance Para Programme Manager Brett Watton is pleased with Hollys progress.

"Under coach Raylene Bates, Holly is making steady improvements each season and throws further at each major competition. We have high hopes for Holly at the Commonwealth Games," said Watton.

NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith extended her congratulations to Holly.

"Holly is a great athlete and I have no doubt shell want to be standing on the podium on the Gold Coast. Shes put in a lot of hard work to get to where she is and I cant wait to see her compete at the Commonwealth Games as part of the New Zealand Team," she said.

The limited number of Para athletics events that were included in the programme for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games means that there are no events available for New Zealands other 2016 Rio or 2017 World Para Athletics Championships medallists to compete in. Robinson will be the sole New Zealand Para athlete at Gold Coast 2018.

The javelin will be contested as part of the athletics track and field programme in Carrara Stadium.

A further athletics team selection announcements will be made in February.

Holly Robinson's selection brings the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team size to 13 athletes.

Athlete Information

Holly Robinson represented New Zealand at the London 2012 Paralympic Games placing seventh and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games where she won the silver medal.

Robinson placed second in the F46 Javelin at the 2017 World Para Athletics World Championships in London with a throw of 42.41m, just below her New Zealand record of 42.68 set earlier in the year.

Robinson, from the Taieri club in Dunedin, trains under coach Raylene Bates.

About F46 javelin

F

Letter = prefix represents F (field event)

T42-47 and F42-46

Number = represents a sport class. T42-47 and F42-46 are designated for Para-Athletes with limb deficiencies, such as amputations. In sport classes 42-44 the legs are affected by impairment and in sport classes 45-47 the arms are affected, eg, by above-elbow or below-elbow amputations. All Para-Athletes in the 40s classes compete standing and do not use a wheelchair.

About the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games:

Its hoped 250 athletes will represent New Zealand at Gold Coast 2018, making it the largest ever NZ Commonwealth Games team.

New Zealand athletes are aiming to compete in 18 sports (including 4 para disciplines).

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the largest sporting event Australia will see this decade and the biggest sporting spectacle the Gold Coast has ever seen.

The games will be contested between April 4th - 15th 2018, with more than 6,600 athletes and team officials to take part.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand