BETHANY Woodward’s decision to swap track for field was vindicated on Sunday when she grabbed a shock silver at the Commonwealth Games.

The Ringwood-born athlete, who won 200m silver at the London 2012 Paralympics, took up long jump five months ago as it was the only event included in her disability category in Glasgow.

The switch paid dividends as the 21-year-old leapt a personal best of four metres, allowing her to finish 40cm behind winner Jodi Elkington of Australia.

Woodward said: “That was way above my expectations. I was relaxed and excited coming in because it’s not my principle event but I knew I had a big jump in me.

“Once I got that four-metre jump in the second round it settled me down and I started thinking, ‘I can do this’. I was just praying I’d hold on to that silver medal and thankfully I did.”