TASMANIAN shot put star Todd Hodgetts has all but confirmed his place in Australia's Paralympic team for the London Games after throwing a world record for an F20 athlete during an international classification meeting in Queensland last weekend.
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The 24-year-old who suffers from Aspergers syndrome, threw 15.54 metres to easily surpass the previous world mark of 15.16 metres.
``I am delighted to have thrown so well in front of the international classification panel,'' Hodgetts said.
``To nail a big one when it mattered most was very satisfying and to get the world record in the process is a big bonus, it was the best day of my life so far.''
A former state and national age group shot put champion, Hodgetts moved from Launceston to Canberra last year to train under renowned Australian throws coach John Minns.
He said the selection process had been long and tiring but he could now focus on achieving his best form for the London Paralympics.
Minns said Hodgetts had come a long way in his training but still had a lot of work to do between now and London.
``The past few months have been tough on Todd so to see him set a world record under extreme pressure and all but get classified was very pleasing,'' he said.
Hodgetts will continue his build up towards London by competing in the national athletics championships in Melbourne from April 13-15.
