Bermuda discus thrower Tiara DeRosa is determined to make her mark at the Commonwealth Games and further justify her presence on the international stage.

The 24-year-old, will be the first of the five members of Bermuda’s athletics contingent — which also includes Dage Minors, Jah-Nhai Perinchief, Caitlyn Bobb and Sakari Famous — to get their campaign under way at the Alexander Stadium this evening.

While DeRosa is relishing the chance to set a personal best in finally breaking the 50-metres mark, the Games also represent a significant opportunity to gain a further sense of validation for herself.

“The Commonwealth Games for me is proof that I can go the distance and reach a higher level,” said DeRosa, who holds the national record of 48.89 metres. “That’s what these Games represent for me, proof that I can do it

“Qualifying was a challenge in itself and now I have another challenge to compete against some of the world’s best, which is going to be really cool.

“My expectations are to get a personal best, I want that so bad. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been hitting some good distances in practice, so hopefully I can replicate that when it comes to the event. I’m hoping to break 50 metres.

“I want to make the finals; that’s the first part of my aim and then to throw that thing as far and hard as I can!

A capacity crowd is expected at Alexander Stadium as athletics takes centre stage with the always highly anticipated men’s and women’s 100 metres also getting under way.

Despite DeRosa making her debut at the Games, she is far from overawed by the prospect of competing in front of a full stadium.

“The crowd will be pretty big but that does not faze me,” she added. I’m not afraid of competing in front of a big crowd.

“I competed in the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2015 and I’ve also competed in some other big international meets like the Carifta Games in the Bahamas which had a big crowd.”

While her full focus is on preparing to impress within her own discipline, De Rosa also took the opportunity to reflect on the special experience that the athletics squad will share, having gone on the same journey together from youth competitions.

“It’s so special to be part of a big track and field squad,” she said. “This squad have been going through this together since when we were juniors.

“It’s been the same track and field team that I’ve done all my school and Carifta meets with, so when you think about it, it’s really special.

“We’ve grown up together; that’s what keeps us connected and always will.”

Meanwhile, three more members of the athletics contingent will be in action tomorrow.

Minors, fresh from beating a 24-year-old national record in the 1,500 metres at the Trafford Grand Prix, kicks off his campaign in the first round of the 800. Bobb also takes the track in the opening round of the 400, while Famous competes in the qualifying of the high jump.