SHE’S won just about everything there is to win in amateur boxing, but Olympic champion Lauren Price now has another accolade to add to her list of achievements.
The 27-year-old from Ystrad Mynach became a household name over the summer when she made history as the first Welsh fighter to win gold at the Olympic Games.
And after adding that title to her Commonwealth, European and world honours, the former Wales footballer has been named as the inaugural National Lottery Awards Olympian of the Year.
Ms Price came out on top in a public poll, gaining more votes than the likes of swimmer Adam Peaty, diving’s Tom Daley and cycling’s Laura and Jason Kenny, who were all gold medallists at Tokyo 2020.
Speaking as she was handed the award at Pontypool Boxing Club on Tuesday, Ms Price said: “I’m over the moon to be the first winner of this award.
"It’s one the public vote for as well, so it’s nice to have that recognition.
“It’s also good to put boxing on the map, especially female boxing, and women’s sport, which is getting bigger and bigger.
“With the names I was up against, like Adam Peaty, it’s crazy to win it. I would never have thought in a million years I’d win something like this.
“I can’t thank everyone who voted for me enough.”
She added: “When they rung to tell me I’d won, I couldn’t believe it, it was mad.
“The public must like me, and I never want to come across as big-headed or anything like that.”
Ms Price hasn’t made a definitive decision on her future yet, with turning professional or defending her Olympic title at Paris 2024 the options on the table.
Meanwhile, nan Linda, who raised the champion alongside Ms Price’s late grandfather Derek, continues to be overwhelmed by her granddaughter’s success.
“She’s remarkable, she truly is,” she said. “All I can say is she’s a one-off. Nobody else can ever do what she’s done.
“She’s the first female boxer from Wales to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, European Games and Olympics.
“She is Wales’ only amateur world champion and now this award on top, so she’s been first for everything.”
No-one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes including grassroots and elite sport. For more information about The National Lottery Awards, visit lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and follow the campaign on Twitter @LottoGoodCauses #NLAwards.
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