Athletics: Record set in Beijing medal win

unedin athlete Holly Robinson on the podium after winning the shot put gold medal at the China...
unedin athlete Holly Robinson on the podium after winning the shot put gold medal at the China IPC Athletics Grand Prix at Beijing yesterday. Photo by Raylene Bates.
The trip to Beijing was worthwhile for Dunedin AWD athlete Holly Robinson who broke two New Zealand throwing records.

On Tuesday, Robinson broke the shot put record with a throw of 10.84m. It broke her own national record by an impressive 16cm''There were five competitors in the shot put and they had mixed classification under the AWD system,'' coach Raylene Bates said from Beijing last night.

''This included the world leader in the F44 class in 2013 and another very good Chinese thrower. We knew that we had to beat them by 1m to win the gold on the Raza points system.''

Robinson threw 10.59m on her first throw and then had a couple of fouls before breaking the New Zealand record with her sixth and final throw.

''So we got the gold on the Raza points system and then Holly got drug tested,'' Bates said.

''The officials were great although it is just as well she has been drug tested before as the language and communication does make it hard.''

Robinson broke the New Zealand record in the javelin yesterday, the AWD event that has been included in this year's IAAF Grand Prix Grand Final at Birmingham in August.

But she had to settle for the bronze medal under the Raza points system.

Bates wanted Robinson to experience international competition where she was faced with instructions being given in a different language.

''It was great preparation for Doha,'' Bates said.

''I wanted Holly to compete in a different culture and get used to a different style of competition.''

The next Grand Prix in Doha is special for Robinson because a top performance will get her automatic entry to the Birmingham Grand Prix Finals.

''The top five AWD javelin throwers in the world will be invited to Birmingham,'' Bates said.

''Holly was ranked third in the world last year and this performance will lift her standing.''

Robinson and Bates fly back to New Zealand tomorrow and the coach will then travel to Wanaka for a few days relaxation.

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