YORK City swimmer Emma Wills is preparing for a double gold medal attempt at the European Masters Aquatics Championships at the London Olympic pool today.

Wills, 36, has already won a first medal at the Championships a silver medal in Wednesday’s 800m freestyle. Swimming in the 35 to 39 years category she clocked an impressive time of 9.46:05. Today, she will compete in the 400m freestyle and the 200m backstroke.

Emma, who has trained at York City Baths for four years, credits Head Coach, Josh Spencer with helping her improve on her times. “Josh encouraged to me to add early morning sessions to my training plan and they have made a huge difference. It was really hard getting up for early starts again. I haven’t done early swim sessions since I was a teenager and found the 5.15am starts tough.”

The part-time personal trainer, based at The Oaks Golf Club, Howden said previous disappointment spurs her on:“I had a horrendous Nationals back in April. I was so disappointed with my times, my preparation wasn’t the greatest. But that made me want to push harder, the early morning sessions have helped me to do that.”

The self-funded swimmer from Acomb said her goals at the European championships were to win medals and she hoped to set new British record at Masters level. “I want a medal and I’d love to get a British record. I think I stand a chance of doing that in the 400m freestyle.

“I previously held the 200m freestyle short course record in the 35-39 year old category too. But I hate the 200m freestyle, it hurts! It’s the hardest event. It’s a distance swim that isn’t classed as a distance event but it’s not a Sprint event either.”

Emma, who trains alongside Team UK Invictus Games Captain, David Wiseman, at the city club, has already bettered pre-race predictions: “In my age category and based on entry times, I’m placed third fastest in the 200m backstroke and 800m freestyle and fourth fastest in the 400m freestyle. So anything is possible, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself.”

The Masters event has drawn 14,000 entries from across Europe and sold out in two days. Over the course of the competition there will be more than 28,000 swims. Emma said, “It was a big draw to swim in the Olympic Pool. I am excited about swimming there.”

A spokesperson for York City Baths Club said, “Our Masters are shining through. We are very proud of Emma and her achievements. The silver medal win in the 800m freestyle is fantastic news. It just goes to show that hard work pays off.”

You can follow Emma, today, as she attempts to set a new British record, by watching the live streaming of the European Aquatics Masters Championships 2016 on your computer at www.dailymotion.com/lentv