Nicola Adams insists her quest to inspire a whole new generation of British female boxing talent is only just getting started as she plots her path to plenty more history over the next 12 months.
Bradford-trained Adams will turn her attention north of the border in 2014 as women’s boxing makes its long-awaited debut at the Commonwealth Games, before moving on to Edmonton in Canada two months later for the World Championships.
Few if any other British 2012 gold medallists have had such an obvious individual impact as Adams, who was in Liverpool this week as Hyundai ambassador supporting the Street League charity.
For all the plaudits and opportunities heading her way since her historic triumph in London, Adams still seems happiest in her role as a mentor for children who might one day follow in her footsteps.
Adams said: “I love being a role model and it just makes me even more determined to go out and keep making history every time I fight. Next year is going to be a big year for me because there will be the opportunity to make more history in Glasgow by becoming the first women’s boxing gold medallist at a Commonwealth Games.
“There are some good young female boxers in Scotland already and hopefully giving them the opportunity to come and watch women’s boxing at first hand is going to inspire them to keep driving on.
“It has been quite a quiet year in 2013 after everything that happened in London, and I can’t wait to get back into action.
“There’s the World Championships as well which I’m yet to win so that’s another big motivation for me.”
While many stars from the Olympic debut of women’s boxing, such as Ireland’s Katie Taylor, will be absent from the Commonwealth Games, the same cannot be said for one of Adams’ key rivals for the flyweight crown.
Extraordinary Indian fighter Mary Kom, a five-time world champion who was beaten by Adams in the semi-final in London and forced to settle for a bronze medal, has indicated her desire to compete in Glasgow.
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