A Coleg Gwent student who beat competitors from all over Wales to win the Under 19 Trampolining Championships is hoping to repeat his success at the British Colleges Sport (BCS) National Championships.
Earlier this year 16-year-old Dan Jones, of Blackwood, celebrated winning the U19 Welsh Trampolining Championships at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff with two set routines.
He said: “I was over the moon to win. It was a pretty big competition and an amazing experience.”
Dan hopes to repeat that success next month when he joins fellow Crosskeys campus students Johnathan Morgan, (cross-country) Hannah Killick (badminton) and Alys Little (swimming) at the BCS National Championships at Loughborough University.
The championships include more than 2,500 staff and students representing different regions in 15 sporting events.
Dan discovered a talent for trampolining in school, and now trains three to four times a week at a local club.
Speaking about his forthcoming competition, he said: “I’m really looking forward to the British Colleges Championships. I’m training hard so hopefully I’ll do well.”
“I love everything about the sport, especially learning new routines and competing. Training sessions usually last about three hours and involve things like circuit training and conditioning to build up strength. Learning about the biological side of sport on my course also really helps to give me a competitive edge.”
Sports tutor Matthew Stork said: “Dan has done extremely well in the Welsh championships. We are delighted and proud of the success of our students who have shown considerable talent across a variety of sporting disciplines.
“The standard of competition required to win a Welsh competition is brilliant but the standard at the national championships is always amazing as the best from the whole of the UK are competing. We wish all our students every success at the British Colleges National Championships in April.”