A kickboxing ace from Port Talbot who took up the sport to beat the bullies has gone on to win a European Title.
Fifteen-year-old Dalton John won gold at the competition in San Sebastian, Spain, on Friday August 28 – beating the number 1 seed along the way.
The youngster needed £2,500 to compete in the tournament as well as for training and trials for the season.
He was awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions initiative that helped sponsor him.
The Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Nationwide the company will donate a total of £750,000.
Dalton said of his triumph: “It was a great relief to win because all of my training has paid off.
“I fought some tough opponents and that made winning all the better.
“Half of my battle is raising money so Persimmon’s donation helped me out and I was able to concentrate on my kickboxing then.
“I’ve got a home fight at the Aberavon Beach Hotel in Port Talbot coming up and next year I have the World Championships so it’s an exciting time.”
Dalton ‘s dad Frazer enrolled him at a local kickboxing class and his natural ability for the sport quickly became clear.
He has represented Wales, and has previously been crowned world kickboxing champion five times as well as gaining two black belts.
Frazer said: “This was the second time that he has represented Great Britain and he is always proud to do so.
“We had to raise the money ourselves so the £1,000 from Persimmon Homes was massive and allowed Dalton go on to compete and ultimately win the European Championship.
“I’m delighted for him – over the moon.
“He has spent almost every day of his summer break training and his dedication is shining through now.
“We are all proud of him.”
Sharon Robinson, of Persimmon West Wales, added: “We have always stated how proud we are to have someone of Dalton’s talent in Port Talbot.
“He has worked incredibly hard and I’m thrilled Persimmon Homes were able to help in some way to get Dalton to the competition.
“Its causes like Dalton’s that we want to support and I would encourage any community group or charity to apply to our Community Champions scheme.”
Persimmon West Wales has developments across the region, including at Coed Darcy in Port Talbot, where there is a range of one, two, three, four and five bedroom properties available.
To apply for the Community Champions scheme people can visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity