GB Pathway athlete Tom Matthews has won the Disability Sport Wales Emerging Athlete Award against strong opposition including wheelchair basketball player Harri Jenkins and skier Menna Fitzpatrick.
The 23 year old from Aberdare was nominated by Jim Munkley after a successful 2015 in which he won team gold in Germany and team gold and individual bronze at the European Championships.
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “Obviously to get recognised for my sport and what I’m doing means the hard work is paying off and I’m really happy at the moment. I didn’t expect to win an award this early in my career. I’ll just carry on what I’m doing and hopefully win a few more awards and a few more medals.”
“He never shrinks from anything and he works so hard,” said Munkley, who introduced Matthews to table tennis after an accident while mountain biking left him wheelhair bound at the age of 16. “Tom’s attitude is ‘I want to be the best I can’ and that says it all really. I really do think Tom will be number one in the world. He’s got the attitude and the right approach.”