A hearing impaired Scot is on a high after being crowned one of the best cheerleaders in the world.
Emily Allan has been deaf in her left ear since birth.
But that doesn't stop the 24-year-old who makes up part of Scotland's first ever Adaptive Abilities United Freestyle Pom cheerleading squad.
The team comprises of Scots with challenges such as sight impairment, joint issues and scoliosis as well as some others without disabilities.
And the talented athletes took home gold in their category at The Cheerleading Worlds 2022 in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. between April 23 and 25.
Nine groups flipped, tumbled and cartwheeled their way to the top for Team Scotland whose overall high scores mean they now rank tenth in the world.
Emily, from Findochty, Moray said knowing the extra obstacles her team face makes their gold medal win even sweeter.
The trainee solicitor told the Record: "I still can't believe we won.
"The team has people with a number of disabilities which some might not associate with cheerleading.
"To think we all came together for the first time, worked so hard and are now the best in the world is amazing.
"I always dreamed of competing at worlds but never thought it would actually happen.
"We're still on a high and my family are so proud."
The Adaptive Abilities coaches tweak and adjust routines to suit the needs of their members at bi-weekly training sessions in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.
Adapting to her surroundings is par for the course for Emily.
She added: "Being deaf in one ear I have to lip read, loud noise can be difficult and if people are talking on my left side I can't hear them.
"I have to be careful around traffic too.
"Working as a solicitor I get my own office to hear properly.
"With cheerleading I don't do as many turns as my balance is affected, the music is at a volume I can hear and I'm often positioned facing the coaches so I can lip read and take more cues.
"The coaches are brilliant - nothing is ever an issue for them. We're all treated equally."
Determined Emily caught the cheerleading bug aged 13 and has lived and breathed the sport ever since.
In between winning gold across the pond, her high-flying law degree and training sessions four hours from home, Emily also coaches in nearby Elgin.
She hopes to show other disabled Scots that that they don't have to sit on the sidelines.
"My team's proven that it doesn't matter what disability you might have, you just have to go for it.
"Any coach I have worked with over the years has been happy to adapt to the needs of others.
"Believe in yourself and you can do anything you set your mind to."
For more information on Team Scotland head to the Sport Cheer Scotland website or email info@sportcheerscotland.org.uk. You can also follow Team Scotland on Facebook and Instagram.
Deaf Awareness Week runs from May 2 to 8. More information on hearing loss can be found on the NHS website.
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