The first Olympics with women's boxing taking place in London seems fitting, given the sport's roots. So does Great Britain's Nicola Adams winning the first gold medal ever awarded in women's boxing.

Adams defeated China's Ren Cancan 16-7 in the gold medal final on Thursday, earning a spot atop the podium in women's fly, for boxers no heavier than 51kg. Adams began boxing at the age of 12, and is 29 now, so this medal is a long time coming for the 2011 European Championships gold medalist.

Nicola Adams: "I'm just so happy and overwhelmed with joy right now."

— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) August 9, 2012

Adams stormed through the fly division, beating all three of her opponents from the quarterfinals on by at least five points, and both getting into double digits and holding her opponents to single digits in all three matches.

American Marlen Esparza and Indonesia's Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte shared bronze in the event after falling in semifinals matches on Wednesday.

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