A Powys teenager who is one of Wales’ promising young athletics stars has won the opening race of this year's youth British Triathlon Super Series.

Deri McCluskey, 16, won his first elite level triathlon competing against the best 16 and 17 years olds in Britain on Saturday, May 14.

After swimming, cycling and running, the Llanymynech teenager crossed the finishing line six seconds quicker than his nearest rival with a time of 32 minutes and 40 seconds at the first race of the series in Llanelli.

“It was a tough race and it was the closest race to a home race that I can get this year. I’m really happy,” he told the County Times.

The A-level student said winning the first triathlon of this year's series has proved to himself that he can win elite races.

“It’s given me more confidence in my ability to do well. Before race day I had only come fourth. Now I can actually win. This is 100 per cent a confidence boost. Competing with the boys at this level is a great thing to be honest. It is a very high standard.”

Unfortunately for McCluskey, the Llanelli triathlon was no longer as originally planned a selection race to represent Great Britain at the European Youth Olympic Festival in July after it was announced by the organisers that the triathlon event would not take place because of cycling route problems in Slovakia.

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McCluskey said he is now focussed on finishing first, second or third at his next opportunity to earn a GB suit for the European Youth Championships in France at Mallory Park, near Leicester on July 25.

The Ysgol Llanfyllin sixth former said he owes his ongoing success to the coaching that he receives at Welshpool Sharks Swimming Club, Newtown-based Maldwyn Harriers Athletics Club and Hafren Cycling Club as well as the “immense support” from his parents Nesta and Ryan.

The 16-year-old who has represented Wales in athletics on several occasions wants to see more young people from mid Wales competing in triathlons.

“I think there could be a lot more potential around here because I know that there are a lot of very good runners at Maldwyn Harriers and there are a lot of very good swimmers. Put it together and you can see what happens.

He added: "But there are no triathlon clubs in the area. There used to be one but since Covid there hasn’t been one going and there isn’t anywhere to talk about triathlons. I’m not actually part of a triathlon club, I have a coach. It’s quite difficult for people to get into it. I don’t really get a chance to be with triathletes accept at races. But the main thing would be to get other people to join.”

McCluskey will next compete in the Scottish leg of the British Triathlon Super Series at Lochore Meadows, near Edinburgh on June 19.