6ft8in teenager Ethan Glyde wants to reach new heights when he represents Team England at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Plymouth-born high jumper climbed to the top of the under-18 world rankings after smashing his personal best at the Régionaux Masters in Marseille earlier this year with a leap of 2.15m.

Glyde, who was born on the south coast but now lives in France, will be part of a 59-strong English contingent at Trinbago 2023 alongside more than 1,000 young competitors aged 14 to 18 from around the world.  

And despite his rise to the Team England set-up, Glyde is hoping he can continue to push himself when he competes in the Caribbean.

"For me, I have always enjoyed achieving new heights," said the 16-year-old.

"A lot of people see the 2m mark as impossible, but for me, it is the complete opposite, I always thrive while trying to hit new targets.

"Selection felt incredible, it really did, and I felt amazing when I hit the standard to qualify.

"It was just amazing, I felt like all the hard work I put in over the year paid off.

"I am definitely very positive about the future now."

The seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place on the Islands of Trinidad and Tobago between the 4th and 11th of August.  

Glyde trains in Nice at the Nice Cote Dázur Athletics Club under French coach Jean-Marc Pleynet.

And the prodigious high jumper hopes that his experience competing in stunning sunshine in the south of France can help give him the edge in the Caribbean.

Glyde towers above the rest of Team England's Commonwealth Youth Games squad at 6ft 8in and he believes it is a great advantage to have in the high jump.

"I think I have stopped growing now but it is really good having that advantage, in the other sports that I play as well," he added.

"It really gives you confidence in the high jump.

"A lot of jumpers, when they are jumping, their head is quite far away from the bar.

"So, I guess it gives me confidence when it comes to approaching new heights."