A 21-year-old carer has set her sights on qualifying for the World Para Athletics Championships in India later this year.
Bree Cronin, who works at Abermill Care Home, in Abertridwr, is a discus and shot put para-athlete with a lower leg impairment affecting her muscle power and range of movement.
She suffered an accident that left her with broken bones, impacting her mobility and prompting her switch from able-bodied to para-sport categories.
Despite her challenges, Cronin is now striving to qualify for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.
The young Welsh athlete was classified as an F44, which signifies competitors with limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power, or impaired passive range of movement competing without prosthetics.
Last year, she was ranked number two in the F44 classification for 1kg discus throwing and 23rd at under-23 level.
She said: "I am nearly at the stage of competing where I used to be before my accident.
“I’ve represented Cardiff Armchair Athletics Club since I started in 2018.
“I’m on a British Athletics programme as a non-funded athlete, where there are stages to get there – the higher you go, the more chance you have to get selected for the team.
"It would help to get to the World Championships in India by the end of this year.
"My goal is to qualify for the World Championships – that would be cool to compete on that stage, and I am optimistic that I will be selected to be on the team."
Cronin said she is now throwing as far as she did when she was able-bodied.
According to her Power of 10 results, she has a personal best of 41.79 metres for 1kg discus.
Having started training with Wales' Paralympic team, Cronin has gained confidence and hopes to compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
She added: "My mum is so proud of me. And I’m proud of her.
"As for my dad, I try not to discuss it too much with him - for my mental health. But I hope he’s proud too.
"My goal is to get to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles."
