Youth success boosts Games hopes

Jemma Lowe had already competed at the Olympics

The success of the Welsh team at the Commonwealth Youth Games has fuelled hopes of glory at senior level in major events over the next six years.

They returned from the Indian city of Pune with a record haul of 16 medals, including five golds.

In previous Games in 2000 and 2004 they won eight and three medals.

Sports Council for Wales Chair Philip Carling believes it could be the start of a more successful era for competitors from Wales.

"The future certainly looks bright. Wales has enjoyed the most successful Olympic Games since 1908 and we've maintained our extremely high standards in the Paralympic Games," he said.

He added it augured well for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 as well as the London Olympics in 2012.

WELSH GOLDS PUNA 2008 Swimming: Jemma Lowe (three individual) Swimming relay: Jemma Lowe, Alys Thomas, Georgia Davies, Jazmin Carlin Boxing: Daniel Champion flyweight

"Now, our generation of younger athletes are also demonstrating that they have the potential to excel.

"I am sure that the Youth Games will serve as a springboard to launch the careers of many of our medallists," he added.

Swimmer Jemma Lowe, 18, topped the table for Welsh athletes by securing victories in the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly.

She also featured in Wales' triumphant women's 4x200m quartet to grab her fourth gold of the event.

Lowe had already graduated to full competition, finishing sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Beijing Olympics.

Boxer Daniel Chapman, also 18, landed the team's final gold by clinching victory in the flyweight class.