Commonwealth Games 2018: Wales name first Gold Coast para athletes

Hollie Arnold won F46 javelin gold at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Team Wales has announced the first six para-athletes chosen to compete at next year's Commonwealth Games.

Paralympic F46 javelin champion Hollie Arnold MBE is joined by sprinters Rhys Jones, Morgan Jones and James Ledger.

World long jump champion Olivia Breen will compete in the T38 100m and long jump. Five-time Paralympian Beverley Jones has also been selected for the long jump.

The Games take place on Australia's Gold Coast from 4 - 15 April.

"It'll mean the world to put on that Welsh vest," said Rhys Jones, who won bronze at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.

"For para-athletes, we don't get many opportunities to represent Wales at a Commonwealth Games.

"I just want to go out there and do myself justice. If I come out with a medal that would be phenomenal."

Morgan Jones (T47) and James Ledger (T12) will make their Commonwealth debuts. They - along with Rhys Jones - are coached by former Welsh sprinter Christian Malcolm.

The biggest programme yet

Next April's Games will see the largest para-sport programme in Commonwealth history - hosting up to 300 athletes across 38 medal events.

Grimsby-born Arnold, 23, left Cardiff for Loughborough earlier this autumn to train with new coach David Parker.

But the three-time world champion and reigning Paralympic champion has opted to compete for Wales as her F46 javelin event is included in the Commonwealths for the first time.

Olivia Breen, 21, finished an agonising fourth in Glasgow at the last Commonwealths but won long jump gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in London in July.

The athletes chosen to compete in para-bowls, para-cycling and para-table tennis will be announced later this week.

The final Welsh team of more than 100 athletes will be confirmed in the new year.