Charlotte Dujardin says becoming the most decorated British female Olympian of all time is “mind blowing” as she surpassed her expectations with a second bronze in Tokyo.
Dujardin won the individual dressage event in both London and Rio aboard the now retired Valegro, while claiming another gold and silver in the team events.
She helped Carl Hester and Charlotte Fry to team bronze on Tuesday and followed up with her record sixth Olympic medal with a brand-new routine on horse Gio that left her speechless.
“To be perectly honest I can’t believe it,” she told BBC One.
“To try and stay within the medals was a big ask with a new dancing partner in Gio. He has a heart of gold. That’s a brand new freestyle, we had never done it before and he gave it everything. I am so proud of him.
“There are so many incredible sportswomen who have achieved so much - and I have topped it all. It’s surreal isn’t it, you can only dream of these things.”
Dujardin’s six medals put her ahead of rower Dame Katherine Grainger and tennis player Kitty Godfree, with cyclist Laura Kenny (four golds) still to compete.
She expects to go higher on the podium in Paris in three years - now Gio has big event experience under his belt
“Gio is green still, there is so much more to come,” she said. “In Paris this medal will be another colour - it’s so exciting.”
