Dedication pays off for David (From Penarth Times)

Dedication pays off for David

A STAR Penarth pupil will be representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games this week.

David Davies, 17, who is in Year 12 at St Cyres School, has been selected to represent the senior men's team after breaking the Welsh record for the 400m freestyle at the recent Welsh trials.

The event in Manchester kicks off today, Thursday, July 25, marking the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication by David.

David has been getting ready for the Commonwealth Games eagerly, first in Malta where he undertook warm weather training.

He then went to the European Junior Championships in Linz, Austria, from July 11-14.

After that he travelled to Millfield to join the Welsh and New Zealand swimming squads as part of final preparations for the Games.

David's first target for the event is to swim a personal best and hopefully make a final - and who knows after that.

A spokesman for St Cyres School said: "We are very pleased to help David with a donation of £250 towards his expenses."

He was presented with a cheque for his adventure by deputy head teacher, Emrys Jones.

The spokesman said: "The staff and pupils of the school are very proud of David and wish him all the very best in Manchester for the Commonwealth Games."