Former learner retains title at the IPC Athletics World Championships

A former college learner has set her sights clearly on Paralympic gold, after retaining her F46 javelin title at the IPC Athletics world Championship in Doha.

Twenty-one year old Hollie Arnold who lives and trains in Cardiff is a former learner at the Ystrad Mynach campus of Coleg y Cymoedd, where she studied Sport Development.

Hollie and her family moved to South Wales to enable her to access coaching and take advantage of the high quality sports development opportunities available in Wales.

Hollie first became interested in javelin at the age of ten, after seeing her older brother throw. Determined to have a go herself, she picked up the javelin and discovered she had a talent for the sport; she was the youngest ever track and field athlete when she competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, aged just 14 years.

Her skills and determination, as well as the support of her family, have seen her win an impressive array of awards; including discus and shot putt.

Hollie set a new Personal Best and Championship Record of 40.53 metres at the event in Qatar and is now concentrating on a Paralympic gold medal. Poland’s Katarzyna Piekart is the current F46 javelin World Record holder, having thrown 41.15m in the London Olympics in 2012.

Hollie stated” The experience of being part of Team GB has been great, I’m so proud to be part of it. I was in the best shape of my life and am over the moon to have retained my title; there was a lot of pressure on me, being the last to throw.

My next challenge is Paralympic Gold, I have never won a major medal at a Paralympics but it’s always been in my sights. I’m now more focussed and that’s definitely my aim – so get ready Rio, because I’m coming!”

Staff at the college were delighted with Hollie’s news; Hollie’s personality and dedication had left them with no doubt that this talented young athlete would go far.

On 17th November, Coleg y Cymoedd will host an Advice Day. The Advice Day will run from 4pm to 7pm and will provide an opportunity for prospective learners and their families to explore the college’s facilities and learn more about available courses.

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