SARAH Walker will head into the World Badminton Championships with renewed confidence later this month.

The Basildon-born 24-year-old, who first learnt to play the sport at Hockley’s Clements Hall, impressed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And she is now keen to take that form into her next international appearance in Denmark.

“The Commonwealth Games were a superb experience for me and certainly helped with my confidence,” said Walker, who grew up in Benfleet and attended South Benfleet Primary School.

“I might not be able to be beat the world’s top 20 players at the moment, but I know I’m able to test them more now.

“The Commonwealths taught me that and I was really pleased with how it went.

“It made me fired up to experience more of the same and hopefully I can put in more good performances at the World Championships now.”

Walker, who lived in South Woodham Ferrers before moving to Milton Keynes, made the quarter finals of the singles event at the Commonwealth Games.

But she remains delighted to have picked up a silver medal in the mixed team event.

“Getting the medal was fantastic,” said Walker.

“Beating India along the way made it even more special and was something special to be a part of.

“We always thought a medal could be on the cards for the team, but I think me getting one as an individual was always thinking a bit too optimistically.

“It showed me the standard I need to aim for though and I’m sure that will be the same at the World Championships now.”

Walker won the English National championships in both 2013 and 2014.

She is currently ranked 74th in the world and will face Sannatasah Saniru from Malaysia in the first round.