Nigel Walker

There’s no doubt that men’s hurdling - high and low - are the strongest Welsh track and field events ever. And Nigel’s name sits comfortably amongst the likes of a select band of World, Commonwealth and European champions - Berwyn Price and Colin Jackson in the 110m hurdles and Rhys Williams and Dai Greene in the longer event.

At his peak, he was one of Britain’s finest high hurdlers and his best time of 13.51 set in 1990 is still the third best by a Welsh athlete behind former world recorder holder Colin Jackson (12.91) and the 2015 European under 23 champion David Omoregie (13.24). 1990 Commonwealth bronze medallist Paul Gray’s best was 13.53 whilst 1978 Commonwealth champion Berwyn’s automatically timed best was 13.69.

Nigel was very unfortunate not to have won a medal in the major outdoor championships. But he was a double bronze medal winner at both the 1987 World and European 60m indoor championships. He finished just outside the medals in the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games and European Championships in Stuttgart whilst he was a semi-finalist at his only Olympics appearance in the 1984 Las Vegas Games.

He began to give an indication of his potential in 1979 winning Welsh Schools titles and an unprecedented three consecutive Welsh under 20 titles between 1980 and 1982. He became Britain’s top under 20 sprint hurdler in 1980 and 1981 taking the AAAs title in both years.

Nigel took a total of six Welsh senior titles including 2 at 100 and the 200 title in 1983. His 110m hurdles titles were limited to 3 due to the presence of a certain Colin Jackson.

After retirement from athletics he moved to rugby union where he had a distinguished career winning 17 caps for Wales and scoring 12 tries.

On retiring from rugby, he became and still is, one of the finest administrators in British sport. He is currently the executive of director of rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union and between 2018 and 2021 he was National Director at the English Institute of Sport. He was also head of sport at BBC Wales.

His induction into our Hall of Fame in 2024 is richly deserved.

Written by Clive Williams

Photo Credit Huw Evans