Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru
The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) is a pan-disability National Governing Body of Sport Which aims to promote and develop quality sports opportunities
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Shot putter Ashleigh Hellyer targets Delhi Games joy
A Welsh teenager who was unable to walk until the age of four is now preparing for the biggest sporting experience of his life at the Commonwealth Games.
Ashleigh Hellyer has cerebral palsy, affecting all four of his limbs, and has defied the medics who expected him to be a permanent wheelchair user.
But the sports-mad 19-year-old from Swansea took up the shot put and will compete in Delhi next month.
He said: “It’s just brilliant to be selected for the Commonwealth Games.”
Hellyer tried out a number of sports via the Disability Sport Wales Academy and impressed at throwing events.
He said: “I was asked if I’d have a go at shot put, so I had a go and did a qualifying distance.
“I didn’t know anything technically about shot at the time, but after weeks of hard training and great support from the coaches at the Academy I was entered into some British and International competitions.
I just go out and throw as far as I can, I don’t worry about anyone elseAshleigh Hellyer
“I’ve only been doing shot seriously since our training camp in Monty Gordo Portugal last March.
“It’s just brilliant to be selected for the Commonwealth Games. It took about a fortnight for it to sink in.”
Competing as a seated thrower in the F32 category, he already has a personal best of 6.98m after trips to the Aviva Open Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, the Irish IPC Open Champs in Athlone and the BWAA Grand Prix in Stoke Mandeville.
He hopes to top 7m in Delhi and go on to compete at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, then win a medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
He added: “I just go out and throw as far as I can, I don’t worry about anyone else. I’m just happy to be going out there – to get a medal would just be a bonus.
“I’m going to go out to try and improve my personal best and learn from the experience for 2012 and 2016. I can’t wait to be honest.
“One day I’d love to reach over 10 metres and be the best in the world.”
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