11 times Paralympic Champion aiming to bring home Gold for Wales. 12 Feb 2010

David Roberts has set his sights on the elusive Gold, missing from his amazing collection of medals, since he made his international debut in 2000. He is aiming to be at his very best, when he represents Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games later this year.

He said:

“I am now back in heavy training after a frustrating period out with injury at the end of last year. Everything is moving in the right direction now and March is an important month for me, when I aim to be at my best at the British Long Course Swimming Championships in Sheffield.

“This year, I have a burning desire to win a Commonwealth Gold, which is the only one missing from my collection. I really want the Grand Slam of titles, I guess you could say I have the Triple Crown, of Paralympic, World and European titles. As a Paralympian, it is pretty special to compete at the Commonwealths, my category will be combined with another category, so it’s a bit different to the Paralympic Games.

“You may think I’m greedy, but I am so proud to represent Wales that I really want to win a Gold for my country! I know it won’t be easy, but training is going well and it will drive me on to work hard every day., when I get up at 4am! I’m not getting any younger but my determination to be the best is a strong as ever.  My first major Championships were the Paralympic Games in Sydney, and they don’t come much bigger than that! But, the Commonwealth Games has always been special to me, as I am so proud to represent Wales, as the sport has given me so much.

“At the moment, the nation is willing on the Welsh rugby team during the Six Nations campaign and I’m a big rugby fan. I am looking forward to going to watch Wales v Scotland this weekend at the Millennium Stadium. The atmosphere inside a full house at the Millennium Stadium is always electric, as an athlete the closest experience for me was competing at the Water Cube in Beijing, which was awesome!”

David took Bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 and Bronze in Manchester in 2002. Despite breaking the World Record in both races, he had to settle for third place, beaten by an Australian at both Games. He added: “I have no doubt that it will be really close, but I can only control my race and be in the best possible shape.”