9 medals for team wales at samoa commonwealth youth games

As the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa reach a close, the final medal tally for Team Wales stands at 2 golds, 5 silver, and 2 bronze. 

On the fourth day of competing, three medals were won. Weightlifter Jordan Sakkas won silver in the men”s 94kg class and in the tennis doubles it was gold for Rebekah O”Loughlin and Joely Lomas whilst Matthew Story and Ricky Hernandez won silver. On the final day, Matthew Story secured the bronze medal in the men”s singles.

Other medal winners throughout the week include Catrin Jones who won gold after lifting 126kg in the 48kg women”s weightlfiting class; swimmer Kathryn Greenslade who claimed the silver medal in the women”s 200m freestyle; and Rebecca Sutton who secured silver in the 400IM women”s swimming. Two other medals were claimed in the pool in the women”s 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relays, with Welsh swimmers winning silver and bronze respectively.

15 young athletes from Wales, aged 14-18, competed at the Games in Samoa led by Chef de Mission, Prof. Nicola Phillips. Speaking ahead of the closing ceremony on Friday (11 September) she said: 

“The Games have been truly fantastic and for a relatively small team we will be returning home to Wales with an outstanding number of medals. We”ve also seen some great performances by the athletes, with several of them achieving their personal best.

“As well as their performances in competitions I am very proud of the way the athletes all respected and supported each other. They have been incredible ambassadors for the youth of Wales.”

She added: “The whole experience has been enriched by the amazing venues, the stunning island location and above all the very warm welcome that we”ve received from the Samoans.”

Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Wales, who also travelled to Samoa said: 

“Our young athletes have made us very proud. Our Welsh athletes have been excellent ambassadors in Samoa and have played a full part in this festival of Commonwealth Sport and Culture.

“The Youth Games are as much about developing talent and potential as they are about winning medals. I am sure that the experience of competing here will be a very important milestone in their development as future stars in the world of sport.

“We are very greatful to Nicola, all the officials and coaching teams who”ve supported our young Team Wales throughout the Games, but crucially during months of hard training and preparation.”

Helen Phillips, Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales said:

“As the national Council for these Games in Wales, we are responsible for selecting and sending teams of athletes to Commonwealth events. But this would not be possible without the strong partnership that we have with Sport Wales and the governing bodies representing individual sports. We”d like to thank everyone who has – and who continues – to work with us and support Team Wales.

“Above all, I”d like to congratulate the Chef de Mission Professor Nicky Phillips and her support staff who led these wonderful athletes and team officials into the Games. We look forward to following their development as we look ahead to the main Games in Gold Coast, Australia in 2018.”