KAYAKER Emily Lewis will be the second former Chase School student to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics.

Following Evie Richards, who races on Tuesday in her Mountain Bike race in Japan, Lewis will take to the water on August 2in the K-1 200 event.

Having been a keen skier and gymnast growing up, she came to the sport of canoeing when she started secondary school at The Chase.

She first raced in a local kayak event in 2005, sparking the flame to go on and pursue her obvious talent.

But when asked whether she thought it would ultimately culminate in an Olympics, her mother Carol was quite categorical in her answer: “Oh goodness no, absolutely not.”

“It was always gymnastics at that point, she would do that four times a week and she was also really in to her skiing.

“She loved sport and whatever sport she did she was always committed to but in 2005, no, I did not think this would happen.”

Mrs Lewis, 58, still lives in Malvern and is still coming to terms with the idea of Emily representing her country at the world’s biggest sporting event.

“It’s so emotional, you can’t even begin to put into words,” she admitted.

“You’re so so proud of them. When they have worked so hard to achieve their goals it’s just amazing. I’m very emotional over it all.”

She continued: “I get more nervous than she does. She still gets a little nervy at times but that’s what the coaches are there for.

“There isn’t much more I can say without welling up.”

Emily continued to push herself and attracted attention from British Canoeing in 2008 before being invited to take part in a national training programme in 2009.

In 2010 she was named Junior Sports Personality of the Year in the annual Malvern Hills Council Sports Awards.

“She has dedicated her life to this,” said Carol.

“It’s training three times a day, one day off and one afternoon off, it’s total dedication.

“Then you add all the travelling, the commitment required is obviously incredible.”

The Canoe Sprint works in heats, with the Women’s K-1 event starting on Monday, August 2 at around 1.30am BST.

Emily will also take part in the 500m sprint, which starts on August 5.