Anthony Hughes: Tributes after unexpected death of Paralympic coach

Anthony Hughes was the driving force behind some of Wales' most successful para athletes.

Hughes is credited with making Wales a leading force in inclusive and para sport.

He died suddenly on December 30th.

Aled Sion Davies was one of the people Hughes helped guide to gold medals.

• Paralympic coach Anthony Hughes honoured with MBE

He competed in the shot put and javelin at the 1992 Paralympics.

He held the world record for the shot in 1994 and had previously won a silver medal.

He joined Disability Sport Wales in 1999 to develop new talent.

The number of Welsh Paralympians increased from 17 in 2000 to 38 in 2012 and 21 in 2020 with 14 medals won in Japan.

In addition to being named Sport Wales Coach of the Year in 2011, Hughes was also honoured with an MBE for services to sport in the same year.

The chief executive officer of Disability Sport Wales paid tribute to Hughes.

She said that he was committed to inclusive and para sport in Wales and was determined to make sure that Wales led the rest of the world in inclusive sport.

He could see the potential in people. We won't see him in sports again.