By Ian Gordon
Hollie Arnold won a sensational sixth consecutive world title to give Great Britain a golden start at the World Para Athletics Championships Kobe24.
The Welsh star triumphed in the F46 category – 11 years after winning her first global title in Lyon.
“Honestly it was amazing. I have been worried sick the last two days but as soon as I walked out onto the track, I was like ‘game time, gladiator on’, Arnold, the 2016 Paralympic champ, said after her victory in Japan.
“The emotion came out when I threw the first plus 40m. After a tough year last year, I’m so pleased to come back with two consecutive world titles.
Arnold had opened with a solid effort of 39.44m which saw her lie five metres ahead of the rest of the field after round one which strengthened her bid for another world gold.
It would be a lead she would never lose, and she further consolidated in round four when she extended her best to 40.89m, before finishing with a 40.29m throw.
The 29-year-old, who was bronze at the Paralympics in Tokyo three years ago, added marks of 38.75m, 37.40m and 37.49m to her scorecard on the way to further global success.
Hollie Arnold wins her sixth world title!
She took in the women’s javelin throw F46 at #Kobe2024. @BritAthletics @kobe2022wpac @ParalympicsGB @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/Gct1XBX3QH
— #ParaAthletics (@ParaAthletics) May 17, 2024
Serbia’s Saska Sokolov and Netherland’s Noelle Roorda finished second and third respectively; their best marks measuring in at 38.55m and 38.41m.
“I have been telling my coach (Scott Knighton) that if I go out there and get that first throw down, whatever it may be, I can build on that,” Arnold added.
“When I hit the 39.44m, that gave me a real boost for the rest of the series. Anything can happen with those rounds, but as soon as those last athletes went to throw and I realised I had won, I just had to hold it together for my last throw.
“My bottom lip was wobbling as I was getting really emotional. But I knew I had won my sixth title, so I just went for it and make it count.
“I felt so happy when I threw that last one and I knew I had won a sixth title. That feeling never goes away. Thank you so much to all those who have supported me, you know who you are, and I love you all.”