CAERPHILLY hammer thrower Jac Palmer will represent Wales at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

The 26-year-old has represented Great Britain at the European Winter Throws Cup and was English Under-23 champion for two consecutive years.

Team Wales confirmed on Thursday that Palmer, who works as a biomechanist at Cardiff Met University, has become the 24th athlete who will be representing Wales at Birmingham 2022.

“Getting the call up was such as a special moment for me, being part of Tîm Cymru is such an honour,” said Palmer, who is coached by his father, Adrian.

“I can’t wait to represent the country I love on the world stage.

“Physically, I feel as if I am in the best shape of my life and the competition distances are coming together just at the right time.

“I’m excited to show what all the years of hard work have been working towards and wear the Draig Goch with pride.”

Palmer is the second Gwent representative in Wales’ track and field team, with Newport’s Natasha Cockram – a former pupil at Croesyceiliog School – competing in the marathon.

And two swimmers from Torfaen Dolphins – 20-year-old Dylan Broom and 14-year-old Meghan Willis – have been named in the Welsh para swimming squad to travel to a Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8.

The build-up to the games is already under way, with the Queen’s Baton Relay coming to Newport last Saturday, before making its way back to England for the final leg of its journey.