Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Boxer Lauren Price has won Olympic gold after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over China’s Li Qian in the women’s middleweight final on Sunday morning.

Price, from Ystrad Mynach, becomes the second British female boxer to win Olympic gold.

The 27-year-old’s victory gives Team GB its 22nd gold medal in Tokyo.

After she clinched gold, Price told BBC Sport: “I can’t really put it into words – it’s a dream come true.

“I still have to pinch myself. It’s been years of hard work and if you dream and work hard enough you can achieve anything.

“I’m just over the moon and I want to thank everyone who supported me on this journey from eight years old.”

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

As a baby, Price was taken in and raised by her grandparents.

“I can’t really put into words what they’ve done for me over the years, I just love them both so much.

“Big shout out to my nan, I can’t wait to see her and show my medal off.”

Price, who attended Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed, 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.

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, Price has been both European and World champion, and is now an Olympic champion.

Price is the second Olympian from Caerphilly County Borough to win a medal for Team GB at the Tokyo Games, with Blackwood’s Lauren Williams winning silver in Taekwondo.