Swansea has inherited its first national games gold medallist in Kung Fu.
Trinh Jenkins, originally from Vietnam and a Kung Fu gold medal winner in the 1988 Vietnamese Games, is the 100th nationality to become a UK citizen at a recent citizenship ceremony in Swansea.
Trinh attended the ceremony with Swansea-born husband John Jenkins, who she married in Vietnam four years ago.
The ceremony was held at Swansea’s Registration Service in the Civic Centre.
Trinh was one of a group of people- all originally from other countries- who attended to take the oath and become UK citizens in Swansea.
After the ceremony Trinh was overwhelmed by the event and said she was honoured to be the 100th nationality to go through the service in Swansea.
She said: “It was a very big day for me. I feel very special and I love Swansea very much.
“It’s incredible to think I am being given this welcome for becoming the 100th national to go through this ceremony in Swansea. I’m very honoured.”
Trinh is currently training in Tycoch College to become a paramedic.
Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Alan Lloyd personally welcomed Trinh as a new Swansea based UK citizen. He said, “Trinh and the many others who have taken part in this special day obviously feel they are welcome in Swansea.
“I think this shows the type of city Swansea is and it is a reflection of the welcome everyone who comes here receives. Trinh is now part of the fabric that makes up Swansea and makes it the city it is.”
Other nationalities that have been included in the citizenship ceremonies in the past have included people from Ghana, Uganda, Macedonia, Brazil and Peru.
Swansea Council’s Registration Services have been holding citizenship ceremonies every fortnight since 2005. And 1491 individuals including children have taken part.
Edith Morgan, Superintendent Registrar in Swansea Council said, “These events are very important for those who attend. Our new citizens are made to feel very special and we always give them a warm welcome.”
