As a promising javelin thrower in 2012, Robinson hoped she would qualify for the London Paralympics, but she accepted it might not be her time.
Imagine her surprise receiving the phone call to say she was heading to London the day before she had to fly out.
"Here I was, little old me had only competed at the Aussie champs before and I was competing in front of sold-out stadiums of 75,000 people," Robinson said.
"It was mind-blowing, but it was also so awesome to see the leaders in my sport, and that was my position I wanted to be in.
"It also opened my eyes up to what sport was like and where that could take me."
Watching Australian Madeleine Hogan doing "amazing" things made Robinson realise she wanted to be on top of the podium one day.
London marked Robinson’s Paralympic debut — she finished seventh — and she later won silver in Rio in 2016.
Heading to Paris, Robinson is the defending javelin champion after winning gold in Tokyo, and she is determined to do it again.
Looking back at how far she had come from a young child in Hokitika, moving to Dunedin as a teenager and frantically packing for London, made Robinson immensely proud.
"I never thought that I would actually have done all of the things that I sort of set out to do.
"From a young age, I always wanted to compete for New Zealand and I wanted to one day stand on top of the podium.
"I’ve done those things and sometimes I just think ‘is this real? Am I living in a dream?’."
The gentle aches tell her every day that those dreams are her reality.
"It certainly does feel like I’ve been around a long time. My body reminds me every single day," Robinson laughed.
Things had changed since her debut.
After only having a handful of athletes to look up to, javelin now had depth and that was exciting — even if it meant tougher competition.
"It’s exciting for me to see some young girls coming up that are throwing really well.
"The ones that have been around for a while . . . we’re going to pass that mantle on to them in the future at some point, so that’s really exciting to see that it’s in good hands."
Even at her fourth Paralympics, there is something new.
Robinson will compete in both the F46 javelin and shot put in Paris for the first time, only her second time competing internationally in two events.
The 29-year-old is still "quite young" in preparation for two disciplines, but the past few months had been focused around putting into place her training, recovery and strategies.
"I’m gearing up to defend my title — that’s what I’m going for, that’s what I want.
"But I’m also realistic that there are some really good girls coming up in the ranks.
"I have faith that I’ve done it before and I can do it again."
Her shot put had progressed since 2022, and winning consecutive world championship silvers gave her confidence.
"I think I’m in a good spot, if I can put it all together, then that big throw will be there for me to produce in Paris."
There will be more changes with long-time coach Raylene Bates, of Dunedin, focused on being the chef de mission for the New Zealand team.
That means Robinson will be under the team coach, but Bates and Robinson worked hard over the past few months to prepare.
While it would be different, Robinson was delighted for Bates.
"I’m really proud of her," Robinson said.
"For me, as an athlete, she holds that mana, those values, that culture piece that I see is really important in the chef de mission."
Seeing herself, Bates and Paralympian Anna Grimaldi representing Dunedin was amazing, Robinson said.
"It’s so cool.
"We’re down south, we’re sometimes a little bit forgotten, but we’re three strong females doing what we love and we’ve worked hard for that."
Grimaldi is also the flag bearer for the opening ceremony, alongside Cameron Leslie.
Robinson — who was the flag bearer in Rio — was ‘hugely proud" to see her great mate given the honour.
"To have someone from Dunedin to carry the flag again is a really, really cool thing.
"It’s exciting and we share in that together."
Robinson is currently in Amsterdam, where she will compete in two competitions before heading to Montpelier on Monday for a pre-Games camp
She was grateful for all the support she received throughout Otago, and Hokitika, and looked forward to doing them proud.
As she takes to the field in Paris, Robinson will look back on her journey as she adds another chapter to her career.
"I’m hugely proud of what I’ve achieved.
"Little old me would be smiling at me now and saying ‘you know you did it — but there’s still a little bit to go’."
