Archive - Thursday, 27 June 2002


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Dean in Welsh team for Games

A BARRY gymnast is on his way to one of the biggest competitions in Britain.

Dean Manning, 20, of Glen Mavis Way is in the Commonwealth sports village in Manchester training full time for his part in the Male Artistic team at the Commonwealth Games.

He said: "I started in the Barry YMCA when I was five years old. We've got another lad from the YMCA on the team with us now, David Muir who is only 15, which shows what class of training is offered in Barry. And I always dreamed of competing at a high standard so I'm going to give it my best shot.

"We've got the British Champion competing with us, and there are hopes he will dominate the tournament. But I'm looking for a good result in the team events. My field is the male artistic exercises. At the moment, I'm not nervous. More excited really."

Not only has Dean been honing his physical expertise to top levels recently, but he's just landed himself a BSc in Sports and Physical Education from UWIC, earning a 2:2 degree.

His mum Dawn is proud of her son. She said: "Dean is a good gymnast and we have high hopes for him. With his degree behind him and his experience at this level, he has a bright future."