Former champion Hollie Arnold said winning a medal was way beyond her expectations after securing a bronze in the women’s F46 javelin at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.
The 31-year-old took nine months off after finishing third at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, but returned to secure an eighth world podium place with a season-best throw of 41.94m.
“It’s a real weird mix of emotions. I’m proud, there’s upset, there’s a million and one things,” said Arnold, who won this event at the previous six World Championships.
“After Paris mental health came first for me and I just needed to take that time for myself and really understand myself.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be here, this was not on my cards this year whatsoever, so to be able have very little training out here, throw pretty consistently well – I’m really proud of myself.”
Arnold led the field in India’s capital after the first round of throws, but did not improve on her mark with five subsequent attempts.
Noelle Roerda of the Netherlands won the event, with a personal best of 43.74m putting her clear of Uzbekistan’s Shahinakhon Yigitalieva.
“It’s just been a really messy year, but I’ve found magic in chaos and I think that’s something to very proud of,” Arnold added.
“I’m not the same person I was in Paris, I’m a very different Hollie and I’m a happy Hollie. To come out here and compete, yeah, I loved it.”
