Adams makes history

Leeds-born Nicola Adams created history today as she became the first-ever women's Olympic boxing champion in the history of the Games.

The 29-year-old thrashed her Chinese opponent Ren Cancan 16-7 in the flyweight final at the Excel Arena, and in truth never looked like losing. There was no hanging about as she tore into Cancan, connecting with punch after punch to score a memorable victory. She was quite predictably happy afterwards, saying: "It's like a dream come true for me. I just wanted this all my life. "I'm just so happy and overwhelmed with joy right now." The losing semi-finalists Mary Kom of India and American Marlen Esparza took bronze. Next up in the ring was Ireland favourite Katie Taylor who faced Sofya Ochigava of Russia in the lightweight final. This was a rematch of last year's World Championship final, but was a closer affair as the Russian gave as good as she got, and was a point ahead in the second round. However, Taylor responded and opened up a two-point lead in the third before having to endure a somewhat nervous fourth and final round before being announced as the 10-8 winner. It was a fitting time for Taylor to top the podium, as it came exactly 20 years to the day since Ireland's last Olympic boxing gold medal, that of Michael Carruth in Barcelona. For the record, losing semi-finalists Mavzuna Chorieva of Tajikistan and Brazilian Adriana Araujo took bronze.