Adams: historic victory

Nicola Adams on Saturday became the first British boxer to retain an Olympic title for 92 years by winning the gold medal in the women’s flyweight final at Rio 2016.

The 33-year-old won a unanimous points decision to beat France’s Sarah Ourahmoune.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victory took Britain’s total to 26 gold medals in Brazil and 63 medals overall.

This was two medals short of the record 65 won at London 2012, and it is their first gold medal in boxing in Rio.

However, super-heavyweight Joe Joyce could add another boxing medal for Britain on Sunday.

“The gold rush continues. I’m now officially the most accomplished amateur boxer Great Britain has ever had. I can’t believe it,’’ Adams said in reaction to her feat.

Adams, from Leeds, has won Olympic, European and Commonwealth gold medals and is the first Briton to retain her Olympic crown since middleweight Harry Mallin in 1924.

She started strongly against the 15th-ranked Ourahmoune, winning the first of four two-minute rounds on all three judges’ scorecard.

Adams improved further in the second, again winning across the board after pinning back her opponent with speed and accuracy.

Ourahmoune, who won bronze at this year’s World Championships, battled back to take the third and also produced a spirited performance in the final round.

Both boxers celebrated at the final bell, but it was Adams whose arm was raised in victory after again impressing all three judges.(NAN)