Shields – Courtesy AP
For a 17 year old, Claressa Shields looked like a seasoned boxer Thursday as she became the first ever female Middleweight gold medalist in boxing at the Olympics.
The Flint, MI native was aggressive throughout the tournament, sealing her place in history with a 19-12 victory over Nadezda Torlopova of Russia. Herself and Marlen Esparza (bronze) were the only ones from USA Boxing to get medals at these Olympics.
Irish lightweight Katie Taylor had solid backing from her country in the crowd, as the best amateur pound-for-pound fighter got her gold with a 10-8 defeat of #2 ammy lightweight Sofya Ochigava of Russia. This was Ireland’s first gold of the games.
The United Kingdom’s own Nicola Adams had the distinction of being the first ever female boxing gold medalists with her win over Cancan Ren of China in the flyweight final. The crowd was loud for the hometown girl, who was able to get a few standing eight counts on the Chinese pugilists.
The atmosphere was some of the best of the games overall, as the production the event and feel of the crowd made the first ever tournament a memorable one.
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Flyweight Gold Medalists
Gold – Nicola Adams (GBR)
Silver – Ren Cancan (CHN)
Bronze – Marlen Esparza (USA)
Bronze – Mary Kom (IND)
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Lightweight Medalists
Gold – Katie Taylor (IRL)
Silver – Sofya Ochigava (RUS)
Bronze – Mavzuna Choriyeva (TJK)
Bronze -Adriana Araujo (BRA)
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Middleweight Medalists
Gold - Claressa Shields (USA)
Silver - Nadezda Torlopova (RUS)
Bronze - Marina Volnova (KAZ)
Bronze - Li Jinzi (CHN)
