Commonwealth Games: From surviving flesh-eating bacteria to competing for Wales

It was Anthony Hughes MBE, The driving force behind Wales’ most successful para-athletes It was as Performance Director of Disability Sport Wales who first saw his potential

He introduced Bowen to wheelchair racing, where he immediately won medals before finding a passion for throwing.

“I had just started shot put, discus and javelin when Covid happened. I later went back and threw in a competition and I won best performer,” he said.

“So I was like, ‘Oh, I’m okay with it,’ and then I just kept going and fell in love with it.”

It’s hard to imagine many spectators at Glasgow’s Scotstown Stadium would be more proud than Bowen’s parents who still consider themselves “lucky” to have him.

“We lost him at about 13 months, but he’s here and doing amazing,” said his mother Anne.

“Growing up, he wanted to be like his siblings and would say, ‘They can ride bikes, why can’t I?’ So he did.”

Bowen’s determination is only matched by her parents’ efforts to ensure their daughter achieves her potential in sports.

Her father Martin built a specially adapted bicycle so he could ride with his family, then moved on to bigger things when he built a campervan to ensure his daughter could go to athletics competitions.

“He came on so well. Nothing stood in his way,” Martin said.

“Whatever you put in front of him, he’ll try and do it, and if he can’t do it, he’ll get around to it.”

Now Bowen hopes he can make his parents proud as they cheer him on in Glasgow.

“It’s the biggest competition I’ve ever done and I’m happy to be there,” he said.

“It means the world to me to win a medal but to be there, I’m very grateful.”