Mumbles para‑rower Ben Pritchard crowned Welsh Sports Personality of the Year

Golden hat‑trick for Mumbles star

The 33‑year‑old from Mumbles stunned the sporting world with a hat‑trick of major titles — Paralympic gold in Paris, followed by European glory in Plovdiv and a world crown in Shanghai.

It’s a meteoric rise for the former sailor and triathlete whose life changed forever in 2016 after a cycling crash left him paralysed from the ribcage down.

From hospital bed to sporting hero

Introduced to adaptive sport during his recovery, Pritchard discovered rowing at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. By 2019 he was making his GB debut — and by 2024 he was Paralympic champion.

Now, just nine years after lying in a hospital bed, he’s standing tall as Wales’ top sporting star.

“This means everything to me,” said Pritchard. “Nine years ago I was just aiming to live my life again. And here I am, winning the biggest award in Welsh sport.”

Sporting roots and family pride

Pritchard comes from a proud sporting family — his father a judoka and rugby player, his mother a netballer for the Welsh police force. He first made waves at Mumbles Yacht Club, before turning to cycling and triathlon.

Eyes on Los Angeles 2028

With the BBC Cymru Wales crown secured, Pritchard has already set his sights on defending his Paralympic title at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

Panel praise and tough competition

Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni Grey‑Thompson chaired the judging panel, hailing Pritchard’s “phenomenal year.”

Jockey Sean Bowen from Pembrokeshire was runner‑up after passing 1,000 career wins and being crowned Champion Jockey — the first Welshman to do so since 1954.

Other stars commended included sprinter Jeremiah Azu, cyclists Anna Morris and Zoe Backstedt, para‑athletes Aled Sion Davies and Sabrina Fortune, snooker icon Mark Williams, table tennis prodigy Anna Hursey, rally driver Elfyn Evans, boxer Lauren Price and swimmer Matt Richards.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season
Ospreys captain confirms Gloucester move after 51 appearances and Lions tour.

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season
Wales hooker and Ospreys stalwart announces departure after 71 appearances for the club.

Army Cadet leader exposed as paedophile after police raid
Swansea Crown Court hears Carmarthenshire man shared indecent images online.

#BBC #BenPritchard #Jockey #Mumbles #MumblesYachtClub #ParaSport #ParaAthlete #paraRower #SeanBowen #WelshSportsPersonalityOfTheYear