TALENTED Ben Stringer will be throwing more than 35metres next season, promises his coach Wayne McLoughlin.

The 17-year-old Great Sankey athlete, who is patiently waiting for news of his selection for the 2000 Paralympics in Australia, is to purchase a new frame.

Disabled Ben and his coaching team have decided to purchase the new throwing aid after studying video action of the world's best discus throwers.

Warrington Athletics Club's Ben, who finished 13th in the world championships, is currently closing in on the 30m mark but the world record set at Birmingham a fortnight ago by an Iranian stands at 43m.

Ben's coach Wayne said: "In his frame he has at the moment he is stood up and his feet are close together. He is too upright.

"After watching the other competitors at the world championships we realise he needs to be lower and squatting. This will allow him to use his hips and abdominal muscles and will give him more drive.

"I am sure Ben will throw 35m to 40m straight away in this type of frame."

The frame will cost approximately £300 and will be funded out of Ben's sports excellence grant off Warrington Borough Council.

The national junior record holder was in brilliant form again at the weekend.

He was competing for England in the third of four Grand Prix events and he was victorios for the third time, not only in discus, but in the shot putt and javelin too.

On Saturday in Cardiff he recorded 7m 86cm in the shot and achieved a staggering national junior record in the javelin.

His 21m 10cm was two metres up on his own previous record.

The discus competition was on Sunday was staged in atrocious conditions but Ben still managed a hefty throw of 28m 08cm - which was only 80cm off his personal best.

Ben's final Grand Prix meeting will be in Belfast on September 19.

Discus champion Ben Stringer in training.

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