Daniel’s crowned world champion

GARETH Bale became the world’s most expensive footballer while his Whitchurch High schoolmate Sam Warburton has captained his country to Six Nations glory twice.

But the Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch can now lay claim to another sporting star – and a world champion at that.

Daniel Salmon produced a stunning unbeaten run to become world youth champion in outdoor lawn bowls.

The 22-year-old boasted an unbeaten record in the qualifiers before eventually going on to beat Australia’s Corey Wedlock 21-17 in the final of the outdoor World Youth Championship.

A total of 42 players from 17 countries competed in the competition, which took place in the Australian city of Gold Coast on Sunday.

Retail worker Daniel, who is the under-25s Welsh champion in both indoor and outdoor bowls, has previously won Welsh indoor pairs and triples titles as well as the indoor Champion of Champions.

His success Down Under is all the more impressive as outdoor conditions in the southern hemisphere are notoriously difficult for British players.

Barrie Bellamy, secretary of the Welsh Indoor Bowls Association, said: “Out in Australia the greens are very fast so it’s rather tricky to play out there.

“But Dan beat all the Australians on their own greens so that is quite amazing.”

Daniel came through his qualifying round robin group with 10 wins – matching his contender in the final who also entered the final unbeaten.

Wedlock was the tournament favourite but Daniel managed to see off the 20-year-old with a decisive 21-17 victory.

David Harding, manager of the Wales team, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement and we are all very pleased.

“Dan is becoming a fine player and it’s starting to show with some of the results he is getting in the competitions.

“He’s a strong contender for the Commonwealth Games team.

“He is in the elite squad that has been selected for being in the top 10 or 12 players in the country.”

Daniel attended the event with his dad Ben Salmon – but his family were eagerly awaiting news of the results back home in Whitchurch.

Daniel’s brother Nathan, 20, said: “We are over the moon about it – it’s such a brilliant achievement.

“We see the hard work he puts in and we’re glad he is now reaping the rewards.”

In May, Daniel will return to Australia for the Commonwealth Games Test Series, where he will be competing for a spot on the Wales Commonwealth Games team.