Lisa Carrington's nana says she's a "proud, proud grandmother" after watching her granddaughter win two Olympic gold medals in canoe sprints on Tuesday.
Carrington won her third consecutive Olympic gold in the K1 200 event on Tuesday, then returned to the course later in the day with Caitlin Regal and won again, this time in the K2 500.
Her grandmother Doreen, who watched her compete at the Team NZ headquarters in Auckland, says her heart was in her mouth as she watched the races.
"I heard someone say that she was an incredible human being, and I just said to someone how all of her hard work has paid off," Doreen tells Newshub.
"She's a warrior for her country."
Carrington's mum Glynis was also watching and says she's so proud of her daughter, Regal, and their coaches for their wins.
"She's worked really hard. She has deserved everything because she's worked so, so hard."
But the win for the pair will be a "massive" relief, Carrington's fiancé Michael Buck says, even though "they had this coming".
"But they had to step up - that field was incredible. The women lining up there are multiple Olympians, multiple world champions, and for them to just blow it away was awesome," he says.
"I'm just happy for her. What she's had to sacrifice and what she goes through day-by-day with the pressure, how she lives her life, it's inspiring."
Even though Carrington's family couldn't be in Tokyo to cheer her on in person, her nana Doreen has a message for her: "I would just say how much we adore her and love her and appreciate her."
The family hopes to speak to Carrington later on Tuesday night.
Carrington has two more events later this week where she could win more medals, the K1 500 and K4 500.
