Tokyo Olympics: Lauren Price wins boxing gold in women's middleweight
Price had been stretched to her limit last time out against Nouchka Fontijn, edging out her Dutch rival on a wafer-thin split decision, but there was no such drama in Sunday's final with China's Li Qian.
Sunday 8 August 2021 21:23, UK
Team GB's Lauren Price has won gold in the women's middleweight at the Tokyo Olympics.
She defeated China's Li Qian at the Kokugikan Arena on the last day of the games.
It is the 22nd gold medal at the games for Britain - for a total of 65, equalling the London 2012 haul.
Prince William sent this congratulations to Price, who was raised by her grandmother Linda in the Welsh town of Ystrad Mynach.
In a tweet signed W, the Duke of Cambridge called the win an "incredible achievement".
Price's win last time round over Nouchka Fontijn had been a struggle, edging out her Dutch rival on a wafer-thin split decision, but there was no such drama in Sunday's final.
The 27-year-old from Wales was able to use her superior lateral movement to confound Li, getting in and out of range at will to control the tempo throughout to claim a unanimous points win.
Price's win caps her remarkable story.
Her grandmother Linda is said to be her biggest fan - but also to be too nervous to watch her fights. She sends Lauren "inspirational messages" every day, the boxer's aunt Alison Morris revealed before the final.
"I get really nervous myself, my stomach churns and everything, and that's usually a day or two before," said Ms Morris.
"My mum doesn't watch because she just gets too worked up - she shakes, she feels sick. She doesn't want to start watching now in case she jinxes it.
"We're all very close, but my mum always texts her inspirational messages every day, saying she can't believe she got this far."
This was Britain's final gold of the Tokyo Olympics, cementing fourth place in the medal table, while their six Olympic gongs in boxing is their best haul in 101 years.
Earlier, 31-year-old Kellie Harrington claimed gold for Ireland in the women's lightweight category after a unanimous decision victory over Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira.
It marks the first time Ireland have won two gold medals in two different sports at the same Olympics, with rowers Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan also winning in the men's lightweight double sculls.