EMILY Richards hasn't stopped smiling since she crossed the finish line at Nottingham's National Water Sports Centre to be crowned British Under 16 girls' single sculling champion.

The Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil ripped up the form book to leave GB caps in her wake as she landed the Wye club's first ever British singles title, smashing five seconds off the national record into the bargain.

"When I entered, I was just focussing on getting through the time trials and making a top-12 semi-final place," said the 16-year-old from Staunton.

"I didn't imagine I'd win it. I didn't even win at Monmouth Regatta.

"But I managed to make the top 12 and then had a really good start in my six-boat semi-final, and was a close second to Nottingham's Olivia Kay in a race where she set a new course record and I went under the old one.

"I was surprised, but was the third fastest qualifier in the semis, so I knew a medal was a possibility now," added Emily, who took up the sport under rowing master Dan Cowton's guidance just two years ago.

"Mr Cowton said let's go for it in the final, but if you push too hard and fall just short, then that's racing, but at least you know you tried. He said I'd done really well to make the final and anything else was a bonus.

"I was nervous going to the start, but I'd also been racing in our quad scull which had taken my mind off the single. I thought 'I'll give it everything and see what happens'.

"Then I had an amazing start and got ahead and could see Olivia behind me. Every time she pushed, I responded and I could hear all my clubmates shouting from the bank which spurred me on.

"With 500m to go, I thought 'I'm going to win this', and just emptied the tanks, gave it everything and pulled away.

"It was just amazing to cross the line and win the title. I was absolutely exhausted, but ecstatic.

"Then I got out of the boat and all my schoolmates were giving me a hug – I couldn't stop smiling."

Emily's time for the 2,000m race of eight minutes 6.38secs took 5.41secs off the new record set by GB U16 cap Kay, who had to settle for silver two lengths behind the Wye sculler, with Eton Excelsior's Emma Moores another length back in bronze.

Her proud coach said: "It's a great achievement for Emily, beating a GB selected athlete in a dominant performance, leading from the front from start to finish. The whole club is very proud of her.

"It was only her second regatta in the single scull and we were looking at top 12, ideally top six, so that GB trials later this year would be realistic.

"We were keen to keep the pressure off with an appropriate achievable goal. And this allowed her to 'go for gold' in the final as the goal had been met already."

Emily paid tribute to her coach and club – the only council-funded state comprehensive school rowing club in Britain – saying: "A lot of it's down to Mr Cowton's coaching, so I owe him and the rest of the club a lot.

"I'm also pretty competitive, so after losing at Monmouth, that gave me the motivation to train better and harder, and it paid off. Now I'd love to row for GB, but I've got to keep working."