Nicola Adams of Britain secured the first-ever women’s boxing gold medal on the sport’s Olympic debut at London 2012 while Katie Taylor delivered Ireland its first gold of the Games on Thursday.
In the first of three women’s finals at the ExCel centre, Adams outboxed China’s Ren Cancan in the 51 kilogramme flyweight division.
Adams had three-time world champion Ren on the canvas midway through the second round with a left and right combination on her way to a comprehensive 16-7 points win.
“It’s a dream come true. I am so happy and overwhelmed with joy right now,” said Adams, who had twice lost in world championship finals to Ren. “I have wanted this all my life and I have done it.”
Urged on by a huge Irish contingent in the 10,000-strong crowd, Taylor gave Ireland its first boxing gold since Michael Carruth at Barcelona 1992 with victory over Russia’s Sofya Ochigava by a 10-8 scoreline.
