Disabled athletes from Ceredigion win 46 medals in national championship

Four disabled young athletes from Ceredigion represented Wales over the weekend of the 2 and 3 July 2016, at the Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championship Under 12’s competitions in Warwick near Coventry.

The Welsh team successfully won 46 medals after competing alongside over 240 of the country’s finest young disabled athletes. The 18 Junior Academy athletes, supported by General Dynamics UK, came back with 36 gold medals, eight silver medals and two bronze medals.

Kimberley Mellor attends Cardigan Secondary School, she won a gold medal in the discus and shot put, and a bronze for 100m sprint. Caitlin Williams is also a pupil at Cardigan Secondary School and scored personal bests and came home with a gold in 100m sprint, and a silver medal in the discus and shot put. Megan Ashman threw for gold medals in shot put and discus and a silver medal for her 100m sprint. Ryan Nother made his debut at this year’s games came home with an impressive three gold medals in the discus, javelin and shot put.

Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member for Lifestyle Services, said: “This is an amazing achievement, these athletes have done us proud. It’s great to see such potential in such young people and we look forward to seeing where they will be next year and where their careers will go to next.”

Nathan Stephens Paralympian and World Record Holder also Talent Officer for Disability Sport Wales said: “The Junior Squad came home with a total of 36 gold medals, eight silver and two bronze. A huge thank you to the staff that supported myself and the athletes over the weekend, they were a great team. But my biggest thanks goes to all the athletes for being brilliant ambassadors for Disability Sport Wales and giving 100% in everything they did. We can’t wait to see what next year will bring.”

Many elite disabled athletes began their own successful athletics careers at this prestigious event, including Aled Davies, Rhys Jones and Hollie Arnold. Amongst the competitors in Coventry were those hopeful for the same golden career in athletics. The championships at the University of Warwick’s athletics track was organised by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).

For more information on disability sport in Ceredigion please visit www.ceredigionactif.org.uk or contact gemmac@ceredigion.gov.uk

Image credit: L-R Kimberley Mellor, Megan Ashman, Caitlin Williams and Ryan Nother July 2016L-R Kimberley Mellor, Megan Ashman, Caitlin Williams and Ryan Nother July 2016