For most 16 year olds, the day before their 17th birthday is spent dreaming of holding their driving licence and getting behind the wheel of a car. Not for Thomas Parry. Instead, the racing he was dreaming about was to his first national title. On Sunday 07 June, Thomas claimed the Welsh Athletics U20 400m hurdles crown in Cardiff, smashing his lifetime best with a time of 55.93 seconds.

Thomas was naturally ecstatic with his win, but the modest schoolboy was quick to thank those around him, "It's an incredible feeling to achieve this after all the hard work. I have to thank my family and coaches for all their hard work and support, it's really helped me get to my current standard.

The win places Thomas firmly at the top of the Welsh national rankings, and he sets his sights on July's English Schools Championships in Sheffield with renewed confidence.