Born: 1982 (Leeds, West Yorkshire)
Biography:
Nicola Virginia Adams OBE (born 26 October 1982) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2017 to 2019. She retired with an undefeated record and held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) female flyweight title in 2019. As an amateur, she became the first female boxer to become an Olympic champion after winning gold at London 2012, and the first double Olympic champion following a second gold medal at Rio 2016, both in the flyweight division. As of 27 May 2016, she was the reigning Olympic, World, and European Games champion at flyweight and won the entire set of amateur championships available to her – Olympic, Commonwealth, and European Games’ titles, and the World, European, and European Union championships.
Born on October 26, 1982, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Nicola Adams had a remarkable journey from her humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazing boxer. She was educated at Agnes Stewart Church of England High School in Leeds and later attended Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale.
Adams showed early promise in boxing and represented Haringey Police Community Club. At the age of 13, she won her first bout, but it took four years before she found a second opponent. In 2001, Adams made history as the first woman boxer ever to represent England in a fight against an Irish boxer. Her talent and determination were evident as she became the English amateur champion for the first time in 2003. She went on to retain the title at the next three championships, establishing herself as a dominant force in women’s boxing.
In 2007, Adams achieved another milestone by becoming the first English female boxer to win a medal in a major boxing tournament. She secured a silver medal in the European Championships, marking her as a rising star in the sport. The following year, she added to her accolades by winning silver at the world championships in Ningbo, China. This achievement made her the first British female boxer to medal at the world championships.
However, Adams faced a setback in her career when she had to take a break from the sport due to a back injury in 2009. Despite this obstacle, her determination shone through, and she made a successful comeback at the 2010 world championships in Bridgetown, Barbados. Competing in the flyweight division, Adams once again claimed the silver medal, solidifying her position as one of the best in the world.
Throughout her amateur career, Adams faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties. To support herself and continue pursuing her dreams, she worked as an acting extra on popular soap operas such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and EastEnders. This demonstrated her resilience and determination to overcome obstacles both inside and outside the ring.
Adams’s breakthrough came at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where she made history by becoming the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. Her victory not only established her as a pioneer in women’s boxing but also made her a symbol of inspiration for aspiring female athletes around the world. Her Olympic success catapulted her into the spotlight and garnered widespread recognition for her skills and charismatic personality.
Continuing her legacy, Adams defended her Olympic title at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first double Olympic champion in boxing. Her back-to-back gold medals cemented her place in history and solidified her status as one of the greatest female boxers of all time. Adams’s achievements on the Olympic stage raised the profile of women’s boxing and contributed to its increasing popularity.
In addition to her sporting achievements, Nicola Adams also made an impact as an openly lesbian athlete. She was named the most influential LGBT person in Britain by The Independent in 2012 and has been included in the annual Powerlist, recognizing her as one of the most influential black Britons. Adams’s success as an openly LGBT athlete broke barriers and paved the way for greater acceptance and inclusion in the sporting world.
Nicola Adams’s incredible journey from a young girl from Leeds to an Olympic boxing champion has left an indelible mark on women’s boxing. Her determination, skill, and groundbreaking achievements have inspired generations of female athletes and elevated the status of women’s boxing. Nicola Adams will forever be remembered as a trailblazer in the sport and a symbol of empowerment for women around the world.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medalist (2012, 2016)
– European Games Champion
– World Championships Silver Medalist
– Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist
– European Union Championships Gold Medalist
– European Union Championships Gold Medalist