A Bermudian athlete said she felt “ecstatic” after winning a bronze medal at her first Commonwealth Games.

Jessica Lewis also said she executed a well-thought-out strategy when she competed in the T53/T54 400 metres final at the event in Glasgow, Scotland, over the weekend.

The four-times Paralympian was excited when she and other athletes were greeted by supporters and well wishers at LF Wade International Airport last evening.

Lewis said: “I went into the event ranked fifth in qualifying so I am absolutely ecstatic to come away with the bronze medal.

“To be able to bring it home to Bermuda is an amazing feeling.

“I went into the event just thinking about the race strategy that I was going to use because I was competing with girls that were in class that is higher than me.

“So their function level is a little more that what I have … so I just wanted to focus on what I could do to compete well against the athletes there.

“I think I executed it really well and I am very proud of it.”

Lewis praised the island for the support she has received during her 16-year career.

She said: “To be able to bring home a medal and share that joy with Bermuda is absolutely amazing.”

Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Olympic Association, praised the performance of Team Bermuda.

Mr Dunne said: “The Games were super well-organised … the athletes did really well … we are happy to have had them representing us in swimming, athletics, in track cycling.

“Jessica’s performance was of course the highlight of the Games for the team in terms of performance.

“It’s really nice to be witness to the medal ceremony in front of thousands of people in Glasgow.

“Overall it was very wonderful and I think it everything that we would have expected.”

Gold was won by Melanie Woods, of Scotland, in 56.43sec, with Noemi Alphonse, of Mauritius, winning silver in 57.89.

Lewis, who clocked 59.31, is a multiple champion at the Parapan Am Games and bronze medal-winner at the 2015 IPC Athletics Championships

She said she plans to get some much needed rest before she gets back into training in September in preparation for an event in Dubai in February.

She also has her eyes on competing in the World Championships in Uzbekistan next June.