Michael Jenkins from the Pembrokeshire Harriers has been named Breakthrough Sports Star of the Year.

The awards, sponsored by Wales Online took place at Sophia Gardens and Michael (known as ‘Big Mike’ at 6ft 9) was nominated after a fantastic year with the Under 15s team at the Harriers. He is also coached by Cardiff-based Ryan-Spencer Jones.

Upon being announced, he received a commemorative plaque by Scrum V pundit Sean Holly.

Michael is an able bodied and para athlete that competes in discus and shot putt for his club - and also for his country on three occasions this year. He has not only been ranked UK number 5 in able bodied discus but managed to get ranked number 1 in the UK for his F38 category in shot put and discus this season.

He is Welsh Schools’ champion and got called up two years early to represent his country in the (able bodied) SIAB competition for the Under 18s. He was also called up to represent his country by Disability Sport Wales at the Dutch and German Championships.

There, he won Gold in both the shot and discus in his F38 category.

At the end of the season Michael competed in the British Championships in the F38 discus Under 17s and again came away with Gold and the British title.

Every open discus competition he entered this year he won, para and able, and every Louise Arthur League (able bodied) discus competition he competed in he won for the Harriers - along with every hammer competition.

He broke a competition discus record (able bodied) in Swansea at the Welsh Regional Championships as well as the Ysgol Y Preseli School record for discus.

He was nominated for his latest honour because of his determination and dedication in battling cerebral palsy and a connective tissue disorder, both which cause pain and weakness in his muscles.

His condition affects both his legs and arms and causes weakness in his grip, wrists, hips, knees and feet, meaning frequent pain in his spine, hips and legs.

And yet his determination shines through and he trains six days a week, two of those in Cardiff, and wants to be a role model for other disabled children.

Michael said he is grateful to his parents and family and friends who support him, as well as coach Ryan and everyone at the Harriers for everything they do to help him.