Hugh congratulations to Noelle Lenihan on her excellent bronze medal performance in tonight’s Paralympic Discus Final.
Her best attempt was her opening throw which reached a mark of 31.71 metres, enough for third place. That in itself was a Paralympic record at that point of the competition. Noelle then saw China’s Mi Na break the world record that the Noelle had set in June 2016 in Lausanne. Na won with a record throw of 37.60 metres, which like Noelle’s best throw, was also her first of the night. Silver went to Shirlene Coelho of Brazil.
Our best wishes and congratulations to Noelle and all her family on their success.
“Throw me to the wolves and I’ll return leading the pack.”
Hazelwood College student Noelle Lenihan will tonight grace the world stage at the Opening Ceremony of the IPC Paralympics in Rio, Brazil. At 17 years old, Hazelwood College’s Noelle Lenihan is one of Ireland’s youngest athletes and has been named by the International Paralymic Committee as ‘One to Watch’. Noelle won silver at the 2015 World Championships and gold in this year’s European Championships. Having already twice broken the world record in the F38 Discuss, Noelle is first in the world rankings and one of our best medal prospects.
Everyone at Hazelwood College wishes her the best in this years Paralympics and (no pressure!) we can’t wait to see her win the medal on the 17th of September in the Dicuss (F38)
Here is Noelle’s Profile from the International Paralymics website:
LENIHAN Noelle
Sport
Athletics
NPC
Ireland
Gender
Women
Age
16
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She took up para-athletics in Charleville, Ireland.
Why this sport?
Her father trained as an athletics coach so that he could train her.
Club / Team
North Cork Athletics Club: Ireland
Name of coach
Dave Sweeney [national]; Jim Lenihan [father]
Senior International Debut
Year
2015
Competing for
Ireland
Tournament
Grand Prix
Location
Berlin, GER
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto
“Throw me to the wolves and I’ll return leading the pack.” (Instagram profile, 09 Sep 2015)
Awards and honours
She received the Achievement Award at the 2015 Munster Star Awards in Ireland. (corkathletics.org, 2016)
She was named the Sportswoman of the Month for October 2015 by Cork City Sports in Ireland. (irishtimes.com, 12 Nov 2015)
Famous relatives
Her sisters Megan and Eimear have both competed in athletics at national level. (hazelc.ie, 20 May 2014)
Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (the42.ie, 26 Mar 2016)
Congratulations to Hazelwood College student Noelle Lenihan on winning a Silver Medal for Ireland at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha. On her way to securing the medal Noelle set a new personal best on her first throw and a new World Record with her second throw.
Also congratulations to her father, Jim, who is also Noelle’s coach and all at North Cork Athletics Club.
Here is a video of the Victory Cermony from Doha:
Here is a video of the final itself:
Here is the story of Noelle’s success as reported on RTE Sport
Teenager Noelle Lenihan takes silver in Doha
Updated: Monday, 26 Oct 2015 16:30
Fifteen-year-old Noelle Lenihan from Charleville in Co Cork has sensationally won discus silver at the IPC Paralympic Athletics World Championships in Doha today.
The teenager, who was making her major championship debut, showed a complete absence of anticipated nerves in recording a lifetime best throw of 30.68metres with her very first attempt.
Impressively she followed this up with another lifetime best and new F38 world record of 31.64m with her second throw.
This mark was the best of her six attempts and secured her the much coveted silver medal behind F37 reigning Paralympic champion Na Mi of China with a winning mark of 33.59m. Renee-Danielle Foessel took bronze with 30.39m.
Smashing pic of Noelle with her world silver,proud dad & coach Jim & national coach @ThrowsIreland #irishroadtorio pic.twitter.com/vyz1j9CP4R
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) October 26, 2015
Reacting to her medal win Lenihan said: “I got a PB, world record and silver medal in my first major championship. I turn 16 in a few days’ time so naturally I’m going to gain more experience and improve my explosive power which can only results in further improvement.
“But for today I’m delighted. My dad, who’s my coach, and my older siblings are all here in the crowd supporting me which is very special.”
Speaking about Noelle’s performance, Irish national Paralympic throws coach Dave Sweeney said: “I can’t believe how well Noelle handled the pressure of competing at this level. She was like a seasoned pro.
“Even after breaking the world record she remained focused on the small details that we agreed would make her throw well. At 15 years old she has an incredible future in this sport. Hopefully they’ll have some great celebrations in North Cork Athletics club.”
Tomorrow is set to be the busiest day for the Irish team in Doha: four Irish athletes are in action.
Throwers Orla Barry and Deirdre Mongan are out first in the morning session in their respective finals; F57 discus and F53 dhot put.
In the evening session three time Paralympian wheelchair racer John McCarthy will line up in the heats of the T51m 100m hoping to advance to the final.
Another major championship debutant, Waterford’s Hayley Fitzsimons goes in the final of the F40 shot put keen to gain valuable experience at this level.
Finally Noelle’s success as reported in the Irish Independent on Tuesday 27th October
