TRURO para-athlete Fabio Zamparelli, 20, is feeling on top of the world.

In June, he made his international shot put and discus throwing debut with team GB at the European Championships in Sweden - winning a silver medal in the discus competition with a lifetime personal best throw and coming fourth in the shot put.

The results mean Fabio is now world number one in the under 23 category for discus and number three in seniors.

Awarded a 2024 achievement award from GLL’s Sports Foundation, Fabio is on the UK Athletics Futures Paralympic Programme 2023-2025 and is understandably proud of his performance at his first senior GB event.

“I was competing against the best in the world, and they were seven to ten years older than me,” he said. “It was a great experience.”

Fabio has an intellectual impairment that made him a target for school bullies. Sport proved his salvation, giving him an opportunity to integrate. He played rugby, and discovered athletics when he turned 15. 

“I wanted something to do during the rugby off-season,” he said. “First, I tried sprinting, hurdles and high jump, but as soon as I tried the shot put and discus, I was hooked.”

Since the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics games, he has had only one dream: to represent Team GB at the Paralympics. He is currently in the Paralympic Development Academy and the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme.

“My coach and I follow a tailored training routine,” Fabio explained. “I train three days a week on gym weights and circuits, then six hours a week of technical training for shot put and discus. I am working towards being European champion, world champion and Paralympic champion. I will not give up!”

Fabio is one of 116 athletes in Cornwall to benefit from 2024 GLL Sports Foundation (GSF) awards worth nearly £70,000 in total. Operating under the Better brand, GLL is a not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that runs nine leisure centres in Cornwall and 240 sport and leisure facilities nationally.

“It’s a real privilege to be able to help Fabio achieve both his potential and his dreams,” said James Curry, GLL’s Head of Service in Cornwall. 

“Success in sport requires not only talent, but dedication, expert coaching and support. Our sport foundation is the largest independent programme of its kind in the UK and in 2024 alone, 2256 athletes have benefitted from the financial bursaries, training, access memberships and physiotherapy GLL provides.

“Fabio’s story is inspiring, and I congratulate him heartily on everything he continues to achieve. The GLL team is with him – every step of the way.”

For more information, visit www.gsfsportfoundation.org