18-year-old Argoed athlete has remarkable summer on the track

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

An 18-year-old athlete from Argoed has had a remarkable summer on the track.

William Hawker, who runs with Rhymney Valley Athletics Club, won the 100m at the 2023 Welsh U20 Championships in Newport – with a time of 11.17 seconds.

He also won a bronze medal as part of the Welsh relay team at the Welsh Athletics U20 International, where he competed against England, Scotland, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

William’s mother, Marie Hawker, 46, told Caerphilly Observer more about his achievements.

“He’s had a pretty good summer,” said Marie, “It’s really good to see them doing what they really love.”

William first joined the Oakdale-based club when he was just eight-years-old and while he is soon to leave the club to run with a senior team, there’s been much success along the way.

“He got his first Welsh vest when he was 15,” said Marie, before going on to get his senior vest in 2022.

William first took up running after he wanted to “get faster” on the rugby field but just “fell in love with it,” according to Marie.

She continued: “He’s very driven, very motivated,” adding that he trains “every day” by doing yoga, weights or of course, running.

William has also been part of the national development programme and is aspiring to be part of the Welsh team heading to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

But he also makes sure to give back, firstly with his running club. Marie said: “He’s done a lot of mentoring.”

William has also worked at a disability camp and hopes to work in the field of elite paralympic sport in the future.

But first, it’s off to Cardiff Metropolitan University to study Sport Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage (SCRAM).

“We’re very proud of him,” said Marie, “he loves it and it’s something he wants to pursue a career in.”