Heptathlete Katy Sealy is targeting a top-six spot at the next Commonwealth Games after a ninth-placed finish in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old Bawdsey-based athlete, who qualified to represent Belize through her father, exceeded expectations in Scotland and has set her sights on representing the Central American country in Australia, in 2018.

Ipswich Harriers’ member Sealy, who played down her chances of success prior to the Games, said: “The next big target is the Commonwealths in four years time.

“I am hoping that by then I can be up there in the top-six or maybe be in a medal position.

“There is also the Olympics in Rio, in two years time, and who knows if I can make it?

“I am certainly going to give it my best shot and if I get there it will be a bonus.”

Reflecting on her performance, Sealy added: “I was closer to some of the girls than I expected in certain events and I felt more involved than I thought I would.

“To finish in the top-ten was brilliant and I think there is more to come.

“My best performance was probably in the high jump where I earned a personal best, although there was a tinge of disappointment as I would have liked to have cleared the next height.

“I also ran a personal best in the 100m hurdles, running a lot faster than I have been all season, and that was in a head-wind.”

Meanwhile, the former Farlingaye High School pupil expressed her delight at being selected to be her country’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.

“That walk from the athletes’ village to Celtic Park was so loud and is something I will never forget,” said Sealy.

“I was so proud to be chosen and it meant so much to me.

“They (Belize) have noticed how much I have done and improved in the last couple of years and it was an amazing feeling.

“I must have had the biggest smile on my face.”