Michael Jenkins: The Seven-foot Welsh Para shot-putter with the World in his hands  

After a monumental twelve months which have seen several World records shattered, standing at seven-foot, Jenkins towers over his rivals, oozing talent to match his striking stature. 

Gentle giant Mike will come to Paris full of confidence that come mid-July a medal of some colour will be coming home to South-Wales. This though will be the biggest tournament the Pembrokeshire-born athlete has ever competed in. 

Jenkins’ rise to the limelight has been rapid, but not a surprising feat from a young man who has fought hard to get to his current career trajectory.  Having lived with cerebral palsy since a young age, Jenkins, like many other Para athletes, has overcome adversity with the help of Disability Wales. As a youngster, Michael was a talented rugby player but at the age of 13 was told due to his medical condition it would be ill-advised to continue to play the sport that meant everything to him due to the risk factors and complications that could impact his later life. 

With the support of Disability Wales, Jenkins overcame the disappointment and found a new love in disability track and field, immediately taking to throwing disciplines like a duck to water. 

Under the guidance of his idol – triple Paralympic champion Aled Davies alongside Welsh Athletics throws coach Ryan Spencer-Jones, Jenkins has continued to thrive. Last year’s F38 World discus record in Paris did not only fall to the young star, it was decimated, shockingly battering the previous best by seven metres. A statistic that would have placed Jenkins in eighth place in last years abled bodied Commonwealth Games. 

This is just one trait of determination that will surely see Jenkins follow the likes of fellow Welshman Harrison Walsh into star status this year. Cool, calm and collected the Pembrokeshire Harrier, however, is just focused on enjoying the challenge of his first games. 

“I’m not really too sure [of the target in Paris]. Obviously, I want to go out there, enjoy it and do my best with the European record being a nice target,” said rising star Jenkins. 

“Discus wasn’t in the events, so I have had to try to adapt to the shot put which I have. It’s quite an adjustment but it’s just something I had to do. 

“If you had asked me six months or so ago about my favourite event, it would have been the discus. From training a lot with the shot put I have become very fond of it. So now I don’t think I can decide. 

“Seeing as it’s my first competition, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself to go out there and win. I to go out there and compete with no stress but I’m very competitive so when I get there if I see someone throw big, I’ll try and up it. 

“When I was selected for the games. It was surreal, I was shaking for half an hour. I wasn’t expecting it to be so mind-blowing. It is really exciting. 

“Aled [Davies] has never let me give up. Whenever I have been having a bad day or just don’t want to train, he’s always pushed me and made me do my best, which is incredibly helpful.  

“I don’t think I would be quite as far as I am today without him. The fact I’m going to my first games with him is incredible and something I have been dreaming about. 

“You don’t know what to expect going into the tournament and it’s nice to have someone who has been there and done that to guide you through it.” 

I want to get to the highest level in all I do 

Clearly, an astute young man grounded by his determination to achieve, Jenkins believes his future could see competition with able-bodied athletes. For now, it’s one focus and tournament at a time. 

“I have always competed [in the past] against able-bodied athletes. Maybe 50 times more than Para so I am pretty used to that kind of thing,” continued Jenkins. 

“I was fourth or fifth in the UK [in discus], but it is something I am not really pushing because of the fact I have to put everything into the shot put at the moment as that is where currently my career is leading me. I would love to go just as far if not further with the discus though. I want to get to the highest level in all I do. 

“Next, I think is just keep training, keep going, up all my distances and smash the next event. I don’t look too far ahead though. I try and stay fully focused on this competition. 

“For now, I’m going to try my best to bring back the gold, we will see what happens.” 

The Para 2023 World Championships in Paris run from 8-17 July 

(Lead Image: Michael Jenkins)