Golden Boy is back in town! (From Barry And District News)

Golden Boy is back in town!

WELCOME home Dai Splash!

Barry's Commonwealth gold medallist David Davies returned home last week to a hero's welcome, after winning Wales' first swimming Commonwealth gold for 32 years, in the 1,500m freestyle.

"I'm very proud," said the 21-year-old. "And I'm a bit more emotional to swim for Wales than Britain.

"It's a dream come true. You only get the chance to do it once every four years, and I'm always proud to swim for Wales. To hear the anthem on the rostrum was emotional."

Davies first learned to swim at Barry Leisure Centre at the age of five - but how does he feel now that he's on the international stage?

"It was always the aim, but I still want to achieve more," he said.

"Just the fact I've managed to win something and doing it for Wales and all that stuff. Getting experience is going to help me in my career as well."

Since winning gold in the 1,500m and a bronze in the 400m, Davies' profile in Wales has rocketed and he's been voted Wales' most eligible bachelor (although he does have a girlfriend).

He said: "It's been great, the support has been a bit overwhelming. But I'm delighted with it all and I'm grateful that loads of people have come out."

Is he expecting to be recognised out and about in Barry now that he's famous?

"There's been a load of interest and it will be interesting to see what happens," he said.

"It's stuff I'm not really used to and not comfortable with - but it's nice, I guess, because people are paying me attention."

Davies, who each week spends 25 hours in a pool, swimming 50 miles, admitted that reaching the goals he sets himself is not easy.

He said: "It does get tough getting up early in the morning, but you can't slack because if you leave things out, you are going to suffer when it comes to the racing."

He is competing in the British Championships in Sheffield this week, so when does the boy from Barry ever rest?

"I have a break in the summer for two weeks, but I've gone straight back into training," he said.