So says Nicola Adams, flyweight (51kg) boxer, 29, from Leeds, who in 2001 became the first female boxer ever to represent England; in 2007 the first to win a European boxing medal; in 2008 the first to win a world championship medal. Now, at 29, the flyweight is Britain's most decorated women's boxer, although a world title still eludes her.  She is currently one of the first 3 women to represent the UK in this new Olympic entry, women’s boxing. 

Nicola has been at the forefront of shifting attitudes to female boxing and says: "It's about equality. Women should be able to do any sport they want and thankfully most people realise that." 

I was interested to read that female boxing is less about 'having a go at each other', more about technique and skill, with a defensive game being coached to avoid punches being landed. Nicola, remarkably, has never had a black eye, or a split lip and her fight back to fitness from a cracked vertebrae injury in 2009 (and a whole year off) is an lesson in determination and dogged persistance. You can read more about her in this excellent article published on 17th July 2012.

Her one obstacle to gold is Cancan, the chinese number 1 world seed.  She won't meet her until the final, and with the home advantage I can't but hope that she will realise her dream: