Otago pair bring home bronze
THE smiles say it all.
Dunedin duo Holly Robinson and Anna Grimaldi are bringing home the bronze after winning medals in their opening events at the Paris Paralympics. Robinson won bronze in the F46 shot put last night, while Grimaldi earlier won bronze in the T47 100m.
Competing at her fourth Paralympics, Robinson produced a best throw of 11.88m to medal.
It is Robinson’s first Paralympic shot put medal, after the event returned to her classification about 18 months ago. Noelle Malkamaki, of the United States, set a world record with 14.06m to win gold and Mariya Shpatkivska, of Ukraine, won silver with a personal best of 12.35m.
Robinson, who won backtoback shot put silvers at the world para athletics championships, has a chance at double success in Paris when she tries to defend her javelin title on Saturday.
Grimaldi broke the Oceania record with her personal best of 12.20sec. She lowered the record of 12.23sec she set in the heats.
‘‘I’m really proud — can’t believe it,’’ Grimaldi said. Ecuador’s Kiara Rodriguez
won gold in 12.04sec and Brittini Mason, of the US, won silver in 12.10sec.
It is Grimaldi’s first Paralympic track medal, after winning backtoback bronze medals at the world championships in 2023 and earlier this year.
‘‘I would’ve loved another 20m or something because I think I would’ve been able to get another person back.
‘‘I’m really proud, proud of that race.
Stunned . . . Anna Grimaldi, of Dunedin, celebrates after winning bronze during the Paralympic women’s 100m T47 final yesterday.
‘‘The 100 metres is a race I still feel like I’m finding my feet.’’
The atmosphere at State de France stadium was like nothing else, she said.
Grimaldi will compete in the long jump tomorrow night and finishes her campaign with the 200m, starting with the heats on Saturday.