WARMINSTER teenager Jack Wiskin was the toast of Twickenham last week after being honoured for his sporting achievements in 2011 at the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards.

The 16-year-old Larkrise School pupil was highly commended in the Excellence in Disabled Sport category and received his award from Paralympic gold medallist Danny Crates at a star-studded ceremony at the home of English rugby.

A host of Olympic and Paralympic legends past and present – including James Cracknell, Tim Brabants, Gail Emms, Duncan Goodhew, David Weir, Sally Gunnell and Iwan Thomas – rubbed shoulders with the youngster.

Since it was set up in 2004 Aviva and the Daily Telegraph have worked together to showcase and celebrate the successes and developments in school sport.

Wiskin, who is a blind runner, fell firmly into that category after a string of astonishing performances.

He won two gold medals at this year’s National Disability Athletics Championships, having only just recovered from a life-saving operation in which he lost 80 per cent of his sight.

“I am really happy to have won an award and I had such a great day at Twickenham,” said Wiskin. “I met lots of famous people and it was a great day. Athletics is my sport and I got into it through school and hopefully I can get to the 2016 Paralympics and go as far as I can in the sport.”

Wiskin’s PE teacher at Larkrise Rachel Bown, who joined him at the ceremony, said: “I have watched Jack’s progress for the last four years.

“He came to Larkrise as a Year Eight boy unable to swim and lacking confidence in PE. Now he can swim and is a fantastic ambassador for sport at Larkrise School.’’ Crates, who won 800m gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004, paid tribute to Wiskin and the others shortlisted for the award.

“With London 2012 coming up, now is the time for Paralympic sports to really shine and what these guys have done is just so inspiring,” said Crates. “School sport in particular is a crucial part of ensuring that we leave a sporting legacy in place and awards like these go a long way to encouraging more people to take part.”

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country, and are part of Aviva’s wider commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For more information go to aviva.co.uk/athletics