Golden Adams pleased to be a role model

Olympic gold-winning boxer Nicola Adams is happy to be a role model for a generation of new fans.

The flyweight has not stopped smiling in the two weeks since she won her medal, making history as the first woman to do so at an Olympic Games.

Hundreds of fans turned out to see the 29-year-old at the Merrion Centre shopping mall in her home city of Leeds yesterday, where she proudly showed off her gold medal to crowds of cheering supporters.

Unlike top-level footballers, who appeared to struggle with being portrayed as role models, she happily took on the mantle.

She said: “It’s easy in a sense because I am just doing what I love doing. To think I am a role model because of doing my sport is an honour and a great achievement. My love of boxing has brought this to life.”

Having recovered from a terrible back injury that left her bed-ridden in 2009, Adams said she can appreciate her success and finding herself suddenly thrust in the spotlight.

In the Olympic tournament Adams defeated Chinese world number one Ren Cancan to claim her historic gold.