Athletics: Deganwy athelete in British squad for Beijing

Jun 26 2008 By Tim Channon

DEGANWY athlete Becca Chin is heading for Beijing after her place in the Great Britain squad for the Paralympics in September was confirmed this week.

The 16-year-old with a hyperlax ligament disorder, will compete in the shot putt and discus, after beating the Paralympic qualifying distance on four occasions this year.

She will be the youngest member of a Welsh contingent of 30 in the British squad of around 200. They will travel for acclimatisation training in Macao on August 24, before moving on to Beijing for the opening ceremony on September 6.

Becca will compete in the shot on September 9 and discus on September 12.

"It’s very exciting. My original target was the London 2012 Paralympics, but all the hard winter training I’ve put in has really paid off," she said.

"My coach, John Parkin, has been fantastic and I would really like to thank my mum for being so supportive."

John Parkin, who coaches Becca at Deeside and Colwyn Bay and has also had Beverley Jones from Wrexham selected for Beijing, said the speed of Becca’s progress had even surprised him.

"She first came to me last year and we had been looking at trying to get up to Paralympic standard for London 2012. But she is a real grafter and has shown tremendous dedication to get where she is as quickly as she has.

"I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated athlete to work with. She is already ranked number three in Wales for able bodied throwers in her age group – and she has a lot more to come."

He added: "Beijing will be a huge challenge for her, but she has already beaten the world junior discus record in her category of 33.73 in training and if she can get anywhere near her personal best of 34.58 she could have a chance of a medal."

Last weekend Becca continued her good form by winning both the discus and shot in very difficult windy conditions in the Young Athletes League at Deeside.

She threw 31.16 in the discus and 8.91 in the shot and was later named Best Athlete in the match.

Becca, who will now have to attend regular training sessions with the British squad, is in need of financial support to help with mounting travel costs and any local businesses willing to help can contact the Weekly News sports desk on 01492 574335.