Nicola Adams delivered on a promise made to a very special fan in Rio.
The 33-year-old successfully defended her Olympic boxing flyweight title, defeating long-time rival, France’s Sarah Ourahmoune, to ensure she left Brazil with a full-set of major titles, having arrived as world and European champion.
On her return she was feted at parades and parties and enjoyed a trip to Buckingham Palace for a special reception hosted by The Queen for the stars of 2016.
“I’ve meet the Queen two or three times, though we’re not on first name terms yet,” joked Adams.
“The chance to spend some time with the royal family and have that appreciation for what we do shows how much the nation loves sport and it means so much that she’s behind us too.
“After I received my MBE she told me to win another gold in Rio, so it was nice to tell her that I followed her orders!"
Adams made history at London 2012 when she became the first woman to win a boxing title.
In Rio, she became the first British boxer to retain an Olympic title, after defeating three opponents with consummate ease, her trademark smile flashed in way that made you think it was never in doubt.
“I’m now the most accomplished British amateur boxer of all time and that’s a nice title to have,” she added.
“To be honest, it felt pretty much the same this time [as in London]. I’ve had a massive amount of support and it meant so much to come home and be able to say thank you to all those people, I felt like they were in the ring throwing the punches with me at times.
“It was two or three weeks before I sat down and got the chance to watch the fight back. It was really amazing hearing the commentary and imagining what it might have been like to watch.
“I made myself a cup of tea and watched all my fights and some of the lads fights too. It was pretty surreal, it’s like an outer body experience. You know what it felt like and then it’s like watching a different person.
“As soon as London finished knew straight away I wanted the double gold in Rio and that I wanted to make history again and I’m so proud that I did."
Adams’s next challenge could be as a professional boxer, with the double Olympic champion this week admitting her dream of headlining a big show in Las Vegas before she retires.
Fellow Olympic champions Claressa Shields and Katie Taylor have already made their moves into the paid ranks and Adams is expected to make her decision in the coming weeks.
And whatever she says be warned - she always delivers on a promise.
Sportsbeat 2016