MIGHTY Ben Stringer has produced the best throw of his life to send a message to Britain's selectors that he is ready for Paralympics 2000.

With the last throw of his season the disabled athlete from Warrington recorded a humoungous 31m 9cm in the fourth and final Grand Prix meet in Belfast at the weekend.

Not only did Ben beat his own junior British record he smashed it by 2.5 metres, breaking the 30m barrier for the first time. The 17-year-old's distance - his sixth throw of the day - was only 60cm short of the British senior record.

His coach Wayne McLoughlin, who was unable to travel to Belfast, is delighted for his student and added: "I think 35m to 40m is well within his reach.

"I am willing to bet with anyone that if Ben is selected for the Paralympics he will reach the final. I am not saying he will win it but could be a medal prospect for Britain."

Alterations to Ben's technique, changing training to quality rather than quantity plus Ben's determination to succeed are the reasons McLoughlin states for Ben's sudden jump in achievement.

McLoughlin added: "He hasn't even been throwing anywhere near that distance in training!"

Ben, who now has an agonising few months wait until the selectors announce the Paralympics squad, won all four of the discus rounds for England in the Grand Prix.

He also created a junior record in the javelin at Belfast with his personal best of 21m 90cm. Ben was fifth in the shot putt with 7m 90cm.

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