Nicola Adams

Nicola Adams made history as the first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal and later became a professional world champion.

Nicola Virginia Adams was born on 26 October 1982 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and was introduced to boxing somewhat by accident, when her mother, unable to find childcare while attending fitness classes, brought young Nicola along to a boxing gym, sparking a passion that led to her first competitive bout at 13. She attended Agnes Stewart Church of England High School in Leeds. Adams became the first female boxer to represent England in 2001, and developed into one of the most decorated amateur boxers in history, winning every major title available to her — Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth, and European Games — a complete grand slam achieved by no other boxer, male or female. Adams made history at the London 2012 Olympics, becoming the first woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing, and successfully defended her title at the Rio 2016 Games, becoming the first British boxer in 92 years to retain an Olympic title. In doing so, she also became the first openly LGBTQ+ athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Adams turned professional in 2017, winning the WBO female flyweight title and retiring undefeated in 2019 following an eye injury. She was awarded an OBE for services to boxing, has been recognised as one of Britain's most influential LGBTQ+ figures, and became the first contestant to compete in a same-sex pairing on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.

Orthodox stance, quick footwork, technical boxer

Pioneer who opened doors for women's boxing on the Olympic stage

• OBE 2017
• MBE 2013
• first female Olympic boxing gold 2012