Llanelli’s Commonwealth silver winning athlete paid a visit to the Maes today proudly wearing her medal around her neck.
Nikara Jenkins, aged 17, is one third of the silver medal winning trio who competed in the rhythmic gymnastics at Glasgow’s Commonwealth games. The trio missed out on gold by a narrow margin as they lost out to Canada who rose to become Commonwealth champions. The girls put in a dazzling performance, truly doing their country proud as they rightly claimed their silver medals.
After suffering with a spinal injury last year, it was an accomplishment in itself for Nikara to have been chosen to be part of Team Wales, and so, for her to place in second was a most incredible achievement. The trio, completed by Frankie Jones and Laura Halford, secured the first medal Wales – you go girls!
Throughout the two weeks of the Commonwealth Games, every day after finishing work I would sit myself in front of the telly to catch up on the days events – it’s safe to say I was slightly obsessed. And of course, I was a huge supporter of Team Wales! After I was told that we’d received a tweet from @arddgorffstrade stating that Nikara Jenkins would be bringing her silver medal to the Maes today, I jumped at the chance to be the one to cover the story!
Nikara was set to arrive at the Ysgol Y Strade stand at 1pm, and by the time I arrived at ten to, the front of the stall was already crowded with people waiting to get a glimpse of one of the members of Wales’ successful rhythmic gymnastics team. After waiting patiently for 15 minutes whilst young children and admirers had their photographs taken with Nikara and asked for her autograph I managed to steal a few minutes with her for a quick interview.
She explained how winning the silver was the most indescribable experience and that she’s been completely overwhelmed by the response of the people of Llanelli, and indeed, of Wales to her achievements at the Games. She began her career doing artistic gymnastics, and after trying out rhythmic gymnastics on the recommendation of her coach, that she fell in love with the sport. I asked her how she coped with her spinal injury, it’s a question I was burning to ask as I feel it shows an incredible amount of strength and dedication to have pursued her dreams even with such difficulties standing in her way. Her response, that the support of her family, friends, coaching staff, and team mates helped her to work through the difficulty, demonstrates the dedication and solidarity of the support system she has around her.
For a girl of such a young age to have achieved what she has is an inspiring thing to see. Her words of wisdom to anyone who finds themselves with obstacles in their path to success are to keep your head, have your goals in mind, and work hard until you get to where you want to be.
Meeting Nikara today has been one of my highlights of my Eisteddfod experience so far (and so has seeing a real life Commonwealth medal!).
Congratulations Nikara! Enjoy every second of your medal celebrations, you deserve it. I’ll be keeping an eye out for you because I’m sure we’ll all be seeing far more of you in the future.
Pob lwc i’r dyfodol!
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