Davies leads Welsh seven selected to take on world

SEVEN Welsh athletes have been selected to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Para Athletics European Championships, which takes place at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland next month.

Those aiming for medals will be six-time European champion Aled Davies, who will be seeking his fourth consecutive F63 shot put title.

It will be an important competition for the 29-year-old from Bridgend, as it will also provide a preParalympic Games dress rehearsal, as Davies prepares to defend his gold medal in Tokyo later in the year.

Reigning T33 100m European sprint champion Harri Jenkins has also been selected. The 25-year old Neath-born DSW Para Academy athlete, who also won gold at the 2018 WPA European Championships in Berlin, is another firm medal hopeful.

Kyron Duke, the 28-year-old Newport athlete who represented Wales in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in powerlifting and is also an accomplished javelin thrower, will be aiming to beat his personal best of 14.19 metres in the F41 shot put classification.

Olivia Breen has once again been selected for Team GB to compete in both the T38 long jump and 100m sprint.

The 24-year-old has experience of competing in big tournaments, having qualified for the 2012 Paralympics as well as representing Wales at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games – winning gold in the long jump at the Gold Coast (2018).

Rhys Jones will compete in the T37 100m and 200m sprint events. The 26-year old from Clydach Vale in the Rhondda has excelled on the big stage before, reaching the final of the 200m at the 2012 Paralympics.

Caerphilly’s John Bridge, who turns 22 next month, will compete in the T47 400m sprint. The World Para Athletics European Championships will be the first time he has been selected for Team GB and competed at a major senior tournament.

Harrison Walsh will also make his Team GB and major senior tournament debut in the competition between June 1-5.

The Mumbles-based 25-year old former Wales Under-20 international and Ospreys player, whose rugby career ended after a freak knee injury, has been selected to compete in the F64 discus throw.

Anthony Hughes, Disability Sport Wales’ national performance manager, said: “We were thrilled and delighted to see that seven Welsh Para Athletes have been selected to represent GB, which represents 15 per cent of the entire 47-strong GB team.

“It’s very encouraging to see young athletes come through our system. Wales is gaining a reputation for consistently developing fresh talent.”