Robinson 6th in ‘my last javelin event’

Dunedin’s Holly Robinson anxiously follows the flight of her javelin in the women’s competition...
Dunedin’s Holly Robinson anxiously follows the flight of her javelin in the women’s competition in Paris on Saturday. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Holly Robinson has had enough of one throwing instrument.

The other one? Well, there could be more special things to come.

Dunedin star Robinson vowed she had hurled the javelin for the final time after she finished sixth at the Paralympics on Saturday morning.

She won gold in the event in Tokyo three years ago but could not find her groove in Paris.

After starting with a season-best 39.03m — retaken after she successfully protested an incorrect measurement — she was leading after the first round.

Things then got rough for the 29-year-old.

She could not get her timing or rhythm right and peeled off five consecutive foul throws.

In the meantime, Venezuelan hurler Naibys Daniela Marillo Gil had gone long, winning gold with a Paralympic record throw of 43.77m.

Shahinakhon Yigtalieva (Uzbekistan) claimed silver with 43.12m, and Rio 2016 champion Hollie Arnold (Great Britain) picked up bronze with a best of 40.59m.

An emotional Robinson, who earlier in Paris had won bronze in a marvellous shot put debut, said later she was feeling a mix of emotions.

“I am really proud of how I attacked today’s performance in terms of my mindset and enjoying the competition, but I’m disappointed with the distance and not defending my title.

“It was a timing and rhythm issue today. The last few years have been disruptive for me. My body is getting older — I’ve had elbow surgery.

"I thought I might be lucky today and get one away, but I wasn’t lucky. That’s sport.

"It was a great competition, one of the best in our class for a long time, which was exciting. I can’t wait to see the future of this event."

Robinson was very clear when asked if she would continue with an event in which she has represented New Zealand in four Paralympics.

New Zealand swimmer Cameron Leslie salutes after finishing fourth in the final of the men’s 50m...
New Zealand swimmer Cameron Leslie salutes after finishing fourth in the final of the men’s 50m backstroke S4.
"This will be my last javelin competition.

"I’ve done this for many years, but my body is ready to not be throwing javelin any more. Reflecting on the last 12 years since London 2012, I am hugely proud of what I achieved.’’

It was the first time Robinson had tackled the two demanding throwing disciplines at one Paralympics.

She did not believe her bronze medal-winning exertions on shot put had any effect on her javelin performance.

Meanwhile, Cameron Leslie’s hopes of picking up a medal eight years after last climbing the podium at the Paralympics fell agonisingly short as he finished fourth in the final of the men’s 50m backstroke S4.

Having qualified second quickest from the morning heats in a time of 43.05sec, expectations were high that the 34-year-old para sport great could claim a medal in his fourth and final event in Paris.

However, he could not quite repeat that performance in the final and will be disappointed he could not execute the race he desired, recording a time of 44.20sec.

New Zealand swimmer Cameron Leslie salutes after finishing fourth in the final of the men’s 50m...
New Zealand swimmer Cameron Leslie salutes after finishing fourth in the final of the men’s 50m backstroke S4.
Leslie, the three-time Paralympic champion, performed with distinction in Paris, making four finals and placing fourth in two events.

"I’m a little bit annoyed, little bit gutted with the outcomes, but really cool to have family here and to be able to showcase para sport to them."

New Zealand kayaker Scott Martlew, who had qualified so impressively into the A final of the men’s 200m KL2, had to settle for fifth, clocking 42.82sec.

Will Stedman capped a memorable campaign in style by posting a national record of 12.35sec to place sixth in the men’s 100m T36 final.

The Cantabrian, who earlier in the programme smashed his New Zealand record to win 400m T36 silver and who also placed fourth in the long jump, trailed in the early stage, but drawing upon his renowned strength, he finished strongly to trim 0.05sec from his own national record.

Paralympics newcomer Mitch Joynt enjoyed an excellent outing to place sixth in the final of the men’s 200m T64 in 23.16sec.

Young swimmer Gabriella Smith signed off by placing eighth in the final of the women’s 200m individual medley SM10.

Athletics

Women’s T47 long jump final: Anna Grimaldi 5.75m, 4. Women’s F46 javelin final: Holly Robinson 39.03m, 6. Men’s 100m T36 final: William Stedman 12.36sec, 6. Women’s T47 200m final: Anna Grimaldi 24.72sec, gold medal. Men’s T64 200m final: Mitch Joynt 23.16sec, 6.

Swimming

Men’s 50m freestyle S4 final: Cameron Leslie 37.24sec, 4. Women’s 200m IM SM10 final: Gabriella Smith 2min 41.19sec, 8. Men’s 50m S4 backstroke final: Cameron Leslie 44.20sec, 4.

Canoe sprint

Men’s KL2 200m final: Scott Martlew 42.82sec, 5.

RankGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 China947349216
2 Great Britain474231120
3 United States364125102
4 Netherlands26171255
5 Italy24153271
6 Brazil23253886
7 Ukraine21263279
8 France19272874
9 Australia18162874
10 Japan14101539
11 Germany10142246
12 Canada1091029
13 Uzbekistan109726
14 Poland86923
15 Spain7102239
16 India791329
17 Colombia771428
18 Belgium74314
19 Thailand6111330
20 South Korea6101430
50 New Zealand1438

hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz