Arriva Trains Wales is getting behind Llanbradach athlete Hollie Arnold
Arriva Trains Wales is getting behind Llanbradach athlete Hollie Arnold as she aims for success at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Originally from Holton le Clay near Grimsby, Hollie, who was born without her right hand and forearm, competes in the F46 category javelin competition. Already a junior world record holder for javelin, discus and shot putt, Hollie's personal best of 34.22m now ranks her at number three in the world.
The youngest member of Great Britain's athletics squad in Beijing, her family recently moved to South Wales to access better coaching, conditioning and physiotherapy facilities.
Hollie, who is studying Sports & Leisure at Ystrad Mynach College, trains up to three times a week at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff. She competed in her first DSE (disability sports event) national finals in Blackpool at the age of 11 and won seven gold medals in various sports, breaking each national record for each event.
She represented Wales in her first competition at Swansea in September and won the javelin, discus and shot putt competitions, which helped Wales to win the Celtic Cup versus Ireland. This year, she has also competed in the IWAS Junior World Athletic Championships in the Czech Republic and became the under 18 and Under 23 World record holder in the F46 category. Athletes competing in this classification have a single above or below elbow amputation or equivalent impairment.
Speaking at Llanbradach railway station, Hollie said: “I’ve always enjoyed sport and with lots of hard work, I’m hoping to represent Team GB in London 2012. Preparation is really important and access to quality training facilities in Cardiff will help me achieve my goal. Arriva’s support with train travel will make it easier for my mother and I, especially in today’s climate where sponsorship can be difficult to find.”
Hollie’s mother Jill Arnold said: “Hollie should have been naturally right handed so her brain has had to switch things over and she still has difficulties with handwriting but she is managing to overcome it quite well at the moment. Her brain also has to think about activities being done with her left hand, which is remarkable as she throws the javelin so well with it.”
Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Arriva Trains Wales said: “We are delighted to be supporting Hollie with her bid to compete in London 2012 and hope supporting her travel requirements will make a real difference to her development. Hollie’s previous achievements are an inspiration to young people, which will hopefully encourage others to try and emulate her success.”
Hollie’s next sporting engagements will be at the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Senior World Championships in New Zealand in January 2011, the last major championship before London 2012.
Catch up with Hollie’s latest performances here…..
Hollie secures a Bronze Medal Down Under
Hollie competed in the 2011 IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand in January 2011. In the final, she threw a distance of 32.45 metres to finish third behind Natalia Gudkova of Russia (33.65m) and gold medallist Madeleine Hogan of Australia (37.79m).
Hollie spent two weeks warm weather training in Auckland before joining 40 athletes representing Team GB in Christchurch for the games. The team returned home with a total medal haul of 12 gold, nine silver and 17 bronze. Only China with 58 medals (21 gold) and Russia with 35 medals (18 gold) finished higher in the overall standings.
Hollie Claims Gold in Dubai
In April 2011, Hollie competed in the 2011 IWAS World Junior Games in Dubai and won a Gold medal. Hollie threw 31.22 metres to claim gold ahead of Germany’s Laura Darimont and fellow Brit Vicky Silk who claimed silver.