RUNCORN'S Olympic medal hopeful Shauna Coxsey has expressed her excitement after boarding the plane to Tokyo.

The 28-year-old, who specialises in the bouldering discipline, will blaze a trail in Japan when she becomes the first climber to represent Great Britain at an Olympic Games.

The former Grange Academy has racked up a bulging haul of World Championship and World Cup medals but now the enormity of the Olympics is beginning to sink in.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Today she posted on Instagram: "I’m on the plane! I am actually on the way to the Tokyo Olympic Games where Sport Climbing will make its Olympic debut.

"It’s all starting to sink in.

"This is a monumental moment for our sport.

"It’s a true privilege to be on the way to Tokyo and to play a small part. Thinking back over my time as a competitive climber, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I never could have even dreamed to be where I am now, to have achieved the things that I have.

"It’s impossible to put into words all of the feelings that I have right now. "

She highlighted the challenges she has faced along the way - and expressed her gratitude to her fans for their support.

She continued: "The journey sure hasn’t been easy and some battles have been brutal to say the least, she continued.

"The last years definitely hadn’t been what I expected or wanted.

"Navigating challenges. Learning acceptance. Adjusting my ideas of success.

"To have got back up no matter what, never forgetting to smile and embrace the positives, to be here, about to become an Olympian, sharing my reality with you all, this is success to me.

"There was a time I was motivated by the idea of being the best. Right now I am beyond grateful that I can climb, that I can compete and I can get out there and give it my all one last time.

"Thank you so so much to all of you who have sent me kind messages and supported me!

"It means the world! You are all truly wonderful!"