Holly Robinson (athlete)
Holly Irene Robinson MNZM (born 10 December 1994) is a New Zealand para-athlete, primarily competing in the javelin throw. She represented New Zealand at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Paralympics, winning silver in 2016 and gold in 2020.[1][2] At the 2016 Games, she was New Zealand's flagbearer for the opening ceremony.[3][4]
Robinson in 2022 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 December 1994 Hokitika, New Zealand |
| Sport | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Disability class | F46 |
| Event | Javelin throw |
| Club | Athletics Taieri |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best | 45.73 m (2021) |
Medal record | |
Early life edit
Robinson was born in Hokitika, on the South Island's West Coast, and is of Ngāi Tahu descent.[5] She has a twin brother, Jonathon, and her father Steve represented the West Coast in Heartland Championship rugby. Robinson has a congenital limb reduction with her left arm ending below the elbow.[6] She attended Westland High School and later Taieri College after moving to Dunedin.[6][7]
Sporting career edit
Robinson started competing in para-athletics at age 12. She is classified F46 for field events and T47 for track events and long jump.[8] Robinson's first major international competition was the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, achieving a fifth-place ranking in the women's javelin throw F46 and a seventh-place ranking in the women's shot put F42–44/46. She was selected to represent New Zealand at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, the sole female athletics competitor selected. She finished seventh in the women's javelin F46, with a 32.58 m throw.[9] Robinson won her first international competition medal at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships, earning a silver medal with a 34.37 m throw.
At the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships, Robinson earned a bronze medal with a 38.18 m throw.[10] At the 2016 Australian Athletics Championships she set a New Zealand national record with a throw of 40.81 m, ranking her number one in the world for the javelin F46 during the Paralympic qualifying period and earning her a slot at the 2016 Paralympics Games. She was officially confirmed to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics on 23 May 2016.[2]
At the 2016 Summer Paralympics, Robinson won the silver medal in the women's javelin throw F46, with a personal best throw of 41.22 m.[4][11] At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Robinson won the silver medal in the women's javelin throw with a personal best throw of 43.32m.[12]
In September 2021 Robinson donated a US$50,000 prize to Ronald McDonald House South Island.[13][14]
In the 2022 Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours, Robinson was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to athletics.[15]
Statistics edit
Personal bests edit
| Event | Distance | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javelin (F46) | 45.73 m | 6 April 2019 | Sydney, Australia | AR[16] |
| Shot put (F46) | 10.84 m | 15 April 2014 | Beijing, China | NR[16] |
| Discus (F46) | 34.62 m | 20 February 2016 | Dunedin, New Zealand | NR[16] |
Javelin throw progression edit
| Year | Performance | Competition | Location | Date | World ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 30.61 m | Melbourne, Australia | 16 April | 7 | |
| 2012 | 32.58 m | Summer Paralympics | London, United Kingdom | 1 September | 7 |
| 2013 | 34.37 m | IPC Athletics World Championships | Lyon, France | 22 July | 3 |
| 2014 | 35.58 m | Beijing, China | 16 April | 2 | |
| 2015 | 38.18 m | IPC Athletics World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 31 October | 4 |
| 2016 | 41.22 m | Summer Paralympics | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 13 September | 2 |
| 2017 | 42.68 m | Otago Championships | Dunedin, New Zealand | 26 February | |
| 2018 | 43.32 m | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 8 April | |
| 2019 | 45.73 m | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia | 6 April | |
| 2020 | 40.64 m | Dunedin, New Zealand | 25 January | ||
| 2021 | 44.26 m | New Zealand Championships | Hastings, New Zealand | 27 March |
References edit
- ^ "Tokyo Paralympics: Holly Robinson wins gold with clutch final throw". Stuff. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Paralympics New Zealand name six track and field athletes for Rio". Stuff.co.nz. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ . Paralympics New Zealand. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Rio Paralympics 2016: Javelin silver medal for NZ flagbearer Holly Robinson". Stuff.co.nz. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
- ^ "Maori Sports Awards: Carrington, Love-Henry in running". Rotorua Daily Post. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ a b McMurran, Alistair (10 March 2012). "Paralympics: Robinson closer to London selection". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "Athletics: Records tumble at Caledonian". Otago Daily Times. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
- ^ "Classification Master List, Summer Season 2016 – New Zealand". IPC Athletics. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ "Results – Athletics at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – Women's Javelin F46". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ "Results – Women's Javelin Throw F46 Final – 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. 6 June 2016.
- ^ (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ "Holly Robinson breaks world record, but not enough for Commonwealth Games gold". Stuff. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ "Paralympic gold medalist Holly Robinson wins global award for moment of gratitude". Stuff. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Paralympic gold medalist Holly Robinson donates $71,000 prize to Ronald McDonald House South Island". Stuff. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "The Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List 2022". The New Zealand Herald. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "Holly Robinson – Rankings". Athletics New Zealand. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
External links edit
- Holly Robinson at Paralympics New Zealand ()
- Holly Robinson at the International Paralympic Committee
- at IPC.InfostradaSports.com (archived)
- Meet Our Paralympians: Holly Robinson – Attitude Live video profile