Rio 2016: British boxing hope Nicola Adams says she has ‘still got the buzz’ to repeat London 2012 success at upcoming Olympics
The Leeds flyweight has jetted out to Rio as the reigning Olympic, world, Commonwealth and European champion
NICOLA ADAMS has been there and done it all — but still has plenty left in the tank.
The Leeds flyweight jetted out to Rio as the reigning Olympic, world, Commonwealth and European champion having completed a golden ‘grand slam’.
And she is determined to secure back-to-back Games success after going down in history at London 2012 as Britain’s first female boxer to strike gold.
Adams, 33, said: “It feels amazing — the buzz is still the same for me. I’m achieving goals and creating history as I go along.
“I was able to become a world champion in May to complete the grand slam of titles.
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“No boxer — male or female — has ever done that before so it was really nice to have that bit of history under my belt going into Rio.
“I’ll be ranked No 1 in Rio and will be the one to beat, but I never underestimate any of my opponents.
“The average fighter can turn into a world-beater when they get in the ring with the likes of me because they know they’ve got nothing to lose.
“The level of opposition is getting better and better — it’s definitely keeping me on my toes.”
Adams, who began boxing at the age of 12, has become a household name since London 2012.
But she has never allowed the glitz and glamour to distract her from the task of maintaining the high standards required to be the best.
Adams added: “Life’s changed massively for me. I get to go to awards shows and movie premieres — I met the Queen when receiving my MBE.
“It’s been a really nice four years for me since London.”