Boxer Lauren Price handed MBE by King Charles III

Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Lauren Price has finally received her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Price, from Ystrad Mynach, was named in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s final New Years’ Honours list after a remarkable 2021, which saw her win gold at the Tokyo Olympics and was later crowned BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year.

The former Heolddu Comprehensive School pupil was awarded her MBE for services to boxing by King Charles III at an official royal ceremony on Wednesday, November 16.

It was the King’s first investiture ceremony since his accession to the throne in September.

Earlier this year, middleweight Price announced she was turning professional and signed a deal with professional boxing company BOXXER and Sky Sports.

She marked her professional boxing debut with a resounding victory over Iceland’s Valgerdur Gudstensdottir in June.

She also beat Timea Belik in front of a sold-out crowd at the O2 in London in October as part of first ever all women’s card televised in the UK, which drew crowds of more than million.

Before going into boxing full-time, Price played football for Cardiff City and won 52 caps for Wales. She also became world kickboxing champion aged 12, but switched from kickboxing to boxing aged 16.

Since deciding to concentrate fully on boxing, the former-taxi driver has been crowned European, World and Olympic champion.

Boxxer CEO and founder, Ben Shalom, said: “Being recognised by His Majesty is one of the greatest honours any person can achieve. 

“She is the standout star and we believe Lauren will go on to be an international superstar in the world of boxing.”

How Price won gold in Tokyo

Price won Olympic gold after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over China’s Li Qian in the women’s middleweight final on August 8.

Price marked her Olympic debut on July 28 with a 5-0 win over Mongolia’s Myagmarjargal Munkhbat in the last 16, before beating Panama’s Atheyna Bylon 5-0 on Saturday, July 31 to reach the semi-finals.

At the semi-final stage, she beat Nouchka Fontijn, of the Netherlands, on a split decision to reach the final.

Price became just the second British female boxer to win Olympic gold, after Nicola Adams’ triumphs at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

She dedicated her victory to her grandmother Linda and late grandfather Derek, who passed away in November 2020.

When Price was just three-days-old, she was taken in by her grandparents, who raised her and supported her lofty sporting ambitions.

Speaking after receiving her National Lottery award in October, Price said: “I don’t know where I would have been without the support of my grandparents.”