27 athletes have been announced by Team Wales as part of their squad for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
One of the headlines is a call up for 2010 champion Dai Greene, who has struggled with injury over the last five years.
Several on the list took part in the London 2017 World Championships for Great Britain, including sprint hurdler David Omoregie, who’ll make his Commonwealth debut this April.
World Champions Olivia Breen and Hollie Arnold (below) head the list of six para athletes chosen.
The Gold Coast games could act as a springboard for many and providing he is fit, 400m hurdler Dai Greene will be hoping to rejuvenate his career in Australia. The 31-year-old from Llanelli tweeted that he is “proud to be given the opportunity to represent Wales again.”
He’ll face Jack Green and Jacob Paul in the white of England – the latter selected this week as a replacement for Greg Rutherford – himself struggling with injury.
Another exciting battle between the home nations will be on the cards when 110m hurdler David Omoregie goes up against English rivals Andy Pozzi and David King.
In the 400m, there’s the prospect of Great Britain’s relay medallists from the last few years all going head-to-head in different colours with Seren Bundy-Davies likely to be up against Emily Diamond and Anyika Onuora of England and 2017’s sensational Scot Zoey Clark.
Glasgow 2014 was a real highlight for pole vaulter Sally Peake (above) as the 33-year-old picked up a silver medal. This time she’ll face some stiff competition from 20-year-old New Zealander Eliza McCartney – third in the Rio Olympics – with Holly Bradshaw and Lucy Bryan also involved.
Of those making their Commonwealth debuts, long jumper Rebecca Chapman was second behind Lorraine Ugen at last year’s British Championships with an impressive personal best of 6.54m. Meanwhile, Ieuan Thomas and Bethan Davies have been rewarded for strong seasons that included selection for London 2017 in the steeplechase and race walk respectively.
There’s also recognition of some athletes progression through the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) system. Multiple champions Jonathan Hopkins of Cardiff Metropolitan and Melissa Courtney of Brunel will both make the step up down under, along with Ellie Kirk and Rowan Axe, who won 3000m indoor titles with Southampton and St Mary’s respectively in 2015.
Its official….Im going to the Commonwealth Games. Still can’t quite believe this is happening. So so so grateful, and I just want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey. I can’t quite process my thoughts üòçüôà#CWG2018 #GC2018 #grateful #Wales https://t.co/lEy3kxBjMw
— Rebecca Chapman (@beccachapman18) January 24, 2018
Delighted to announce I have been selected to represent Wales in the 3k steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games üè¥Û†ÅßۆŢۆÅ∑ۆŨۆÅ≥Û†Åø
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Thank you to everyone who has helped me get here üí™üèº
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Can’t wait to give it my all over the barriers üèÉü誂ôÇÔ∏èüöß
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Gold Coast we are coming! üá¶üá∫ pic.twitter.com/FoiB1LjMwt— Jonathan Hopkins (@Jonny_Hops) January 24, 2018
Some of the best Welsh hopes will surely come from their paralympians. Rio 2016 javelin champion Hollie Arnold has a hat-trick of world titles at just 23, while 21-year-old T38 sprinter and long jumper Olivia Breen joins her in hoping to complete the Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth medal set this spring.
Some of their more experienced team-mates have pedigree in this competition too. T37 sprinter Rhys Jones won a bronze medal four years ago and 43-year-old Beverley Jones managed the same feat in the 100m in Melbourne in 2006.
Full Team Wales selection for athletics for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonweath Games scheduled to take place between 4-15 April:
Hollie Arnold (para); Rowan Axe‚Ä®; Olivia Breen (para); Rebecca Chapman; Melissa Courtney; Andrew Davies; Bethan Davies; Seren Bundy Davies; Caryl Granville; Dai Greene‚Ä®; Ben Gregory; Dewi Griffiths; Josh Griffiths; Jonathan Hopkins; Beverley Jones (para); Caryl Jones; Morgan Jones (para); Osian Jones; Rhys Jones‚Ä® (para); Elinor Kirk;‚Ä® James Ledger (para); Heather Lewis; Tom Marshall; David Omoregie; Carys Parry-Evans; Sally Peake; Ieuan Thomas
