AN Abercraf resident and former Ysgol Penmaes student has won gold playing badminton in the Special Olympics.
Lloyd Crawley travelled over 5,000 to take part in the games in Los Angeles in July this year and won gold in the badminton singles, silver in the mens doubles and fourth in the mixed doubles.
The 19-year-old, who has learning disabilities and also suffers with dyspraxia, a condition which affects co-ordination and balance, started playing badminton after being encouraged by Bev Tucker, the Sports Development Officer for Powys to try different sports.
Just days before leaving for LA, Lloyd underwent minor surgery on his back at Morriston Hospital, Swansea and despite the surgeon wanting to perform the operation under general anaesthetic and keep him in for the night, he was insistent that was not possible and he was going to LA.
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