Layne Dixon has not taken a backward step since starting competing in throwing events.
Camera IconLayne Dixon has not taken a backward step since starting competing in throwing events. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Hammond Park athlete defies cerebal palsy to excel in javelin, shot put

Jessica NicoFremantle Gazette

HAMMOND Park’s Layne Dixon loves athletics, specifically the throwing disciplines of javelin and shot put.

The 15-year-old excels at both disciplines, representing WA at the 2017 Australian Athletics Championships and holding the Australian records for U20 seated shot put and U18 seated javelin, but it hasn’t been an easy road.

Born with cerebral palsy, Layne has had to go the long way to become a budding Australian champion.

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She first got involved with running through the Ability Centre’s Xcelerate program, eventually moving on to being a member of the North Beach Athletics Club.

From there she decided to hone her skills in shot put and javelin and the rest, as they say, is history.

Her mother Amanda said there had been a noticeable improvement in Layne since starting athletics.

“The running made a massive difference to her both physically and emotionally, her speech got better, her posture got straighter and her school work improved immensely,” she said.

“Layne had no idea she would be competing at a national level, that actually came about very quickly.

“She first picked up a shot put in November, in February she competed at a state level and five weeks later she was in Sydney competing in Nationals.” Her goal now is to compete at Paralympics level.

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