Harrison Walsh is off to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - an example to everyone that when one door closes, another one opens.
The 26-year-old from Mumbles was at the start of a promising rugby career, playing for the Ospreys and Swansea RFC when he suffered a freak injury on the field at the age of just 19.
The setback occurred just a week before he was due to play for Wales against England at Under 20 level.
Not only did the injury end his rugby career, but it left him with only partial movement and no feeling in his foot due to extensive nerve damage.
It was while the former loose-head prop spent two years attempting to rebuild his right leg and his rugby career, he met coach David Jones who suggested Harrison tried para-athletics.
Now, an international para-athlete at discus and shot, Harrison is full of praise for Jones and Disability Sport Wales for helping him adjust to his new way of life.
“It’s hard to come up with the words to describe how good Disability Sport Wales are,” says Harrison.
Initially, he admits he found the transition difficult, but he soon found himself improving.
“It was really important for me to find another sport as it plays such a huge part in the lives of both me and my family,” he says.
“I was desperate for my passion for sport to remain and it was great to find that within disability sport.
“I really liked the motivation of getting better and better and it was important to continue that in another sport.”
Harrison’s professionalism and will to win stayed with him from his rugby days and Anthony Hughes, the national performance manager for Disability Sport Wales, was immediately impressed.
“Harrison had a thirst for knowledge, he was so keen,” says Hughes, who’s had a lifelong passion for disability sport.
“When I first met him, he was clearly a young man who was the ultimate professional. You could tell he was previously with a top rugby academy.
“After hearing about his promise from coaches in Swansea, I invited him to Cardiff so I could have a look at him myself. I was really impressed with what I saw.
“I always hear him telling some young academy athletes that whatever time they are required to arrive, they should make sure they get there at least 10 minutes early.
“That that sums up Harrison, for me.”
