Boxing club celebrates Nicola Adams win

A boxing coach who works with Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams believes the best is yet to come from the 29-year-old.

Alwyn Belcher watched the Leeds fighter defeat China's Ren Cancan from Huggy's Boxing Club in Bradford, where she trains when she is at home.

There were cheers at the club as Adams was declared winner.

Mr Belcher, 77, said: "There's still more to come, you haven't seen her at her best yet."

The coach, who has worked with Adams for about 15 years, said he was "over the moon" for her.

"I'm a little bit speechless. It's absolutely fantastic what she's done.

"From the start I said she was going to win the gold medal. Technically, there's no better boxer in the country or in the world as far as female boxers go.

"She's better than a lot of male boxers."

One young boxer at the club, Reuben, said Adams' win had inspired him to train harder.

He said: "She did great. She's determined, she stuck with it.

"It's made me feel like I can do it. One day I'll be there."

Five athletes from Yorkshire have now won gold at the 2012 Games.

Speaking after the bout, Adams said: "It's like a dream come true to me, I've just wanted this all my life, and to think I've finally done it, and I'm finally here, with all this support, it's really made my day.

"I've brought that gold medal back to Leeds."

Leroy Brown, the first person to train Adams said he felt "overwhelmed" at her victory.

Mr Brown, who runs Sharky's Boxing Academy in Meanwood, Leeds, trained Adams when she was 11.

"It's just amazing," he said. "You saw history being created."

Mr Brown said growing up on the inner-city Burmantofts estate in Leeds had helped Adams develop a relentless drive to succeed and better herself.

"What makes her so good is her determination in life.

"She took all the hard knocks in her life and she's taken women forward."

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Ann Castle, also congratulated Adams on her medal.

She said: "Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting her knows how determined Nicola was to win gold in London, so to see her achieve her goal is absolutely fantastic.

"Nicola is such a lovely, grounded person so it is wonderful to see her do so well.

"Her smile really lights up a room and we look forward to seeing that smile beaming again with the gold medal around her neck. We are all thrilled for her and so proud she comes from Leeds."