GEMMA Bridge admits she headed to the Gold Coast full of apprehension but is ready to fight for a medal.

The 24-year-old has been acclimatising to the warm climate of Australia, where temperatures were as high as 27C yesterday, since flying out ten days ago.

She may literally be on the other side of the world, but Bridge has figuratively come a long way since committing to race walking just 14 months ago.

A series of injuries while running led the Oxford City AC athlete to take up the sport full-time and she competed at the IAAF World Championships last summer.

Bridge comfortably secured her place in the England team for this month’s games after being consistently five minutes faster than the qualifying time for the 20km event.

The Leeds Beckett University PHD student was ranked fifth in the Commonwealth last year and has her eyes set on a first international medal when she competes on the Currumbin beachfront on Sunday.

“I’m excited, but a little bit apprehensive,” she said.

“It would be nice to win a medal.

“It may be difficult, people seem to have pushed on this year. It’s a goal and it would be cool to try.

“The New Zealand and Australian athletes look strong. Bethan (Davies) is representing Wales and is doing well this year, so it will be interesting.”