GOLD Coast silver medallist Rosie Eccles believes her performances in Australia shows she is worthy of a place in the GB Boxing set-up in Sheffield.

The 21-year-old from Chepstow won three fights at this month’s Commonwealth Games before losing to England’s Sandy Ryan on points in the women’s 69kg final.

Ryan is a member of the GB Boxing podium squad, a group of fighters who are currently in pole position to make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

But Eccles, who will soon be combining her university studies with a job at Welsh Triathlon, has also got her sights set on becoming an Olympian in two years’ time.

Wales teammate Lauren Price, the 75kg champion Down Under, is a podium squad member alongside Ryan, so Eccles knows something of what it takes to be part of the elite.

Eccles couldn’t quite match Price’s achievement on the Gold Coast, however, she is happy with the way she performed on the big stage and has every intention of pushing for further honours.

“It wasn’t the colour of medal I wanted but I’m pleased with what happened and how I performed,” she said.

“I was gutted not to win gold but I’m happy I’ve got the medal and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

“Hopefully I can come on a lot more over the next six months after the experience I’ve gained.”

She added: “I expected gold going into it. I didn’t quite do it but I’ll always have that experience to build on.

“I thought I’d done enough at the time, and I still think that after watching the final back, but I don’t want to take anything away from her.

“I’m not going to say she shouldn’t have won it. I felt I’d won but it wasn’t to be.

“I’ll definitely be targeting the next Commonwealth Games and I’m looking to get in the GB squad for the 2020 Olympics.

“The worlds are at the end of the year and I’m hoping to go to that.

“I feel like the way I performed shows that I’m good enough for the GB squad.

“Sandy has been there for four years and how I fought shows I’m more than capable of being up there.

“I put a performance out there and everyone can see what I’m about.”

Eccles hasn’t had much time to relax since returning home earlier this week, visiting family, friends and her old secondary school to show off her silverware.

And the sport psychology student reckons she has come back from her first Commonwealth Games having grown as a person.

“It lived up to my expectations and then some,” she said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done but equally the hardest thing I’ve done.

“We were out there for two weeks before to prepare then the competition was really tough.

“But it’s that pressure to perform that drives you and shows what you can do – I actually feel like I’ve grown a bit because of the experience.”