Nicola Adams

Great Britain’s Most Successful Female Boxer, World Championship, Commonwealth & Olympic Champion & Named Most Influential LGBT Person in the UK by The Independent

Nicola Adams’s Biography:

Nicola Adams is Great Britain’s most successful female boxer and one of the most influential sporting figures of her generation. She made history at the London 2012 Olympic Games, becoming the first woman ever to win an Olympic boxing gold medal. Four years later, she defended her title in Rio, becoming the first British boxer in 92 years to successfully defend an Olympic crown. Her trailblazing career includes every major amateur title, making her the only female boxer in history to achieve a full sweep of Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth and European Games golds.

Nicola’s rise to the top of boxing was defined by resilience, determination and a fearless commitment to breaking barriers. Her early successes in the European and World Championships signalled the arrival of a generational talent, while her Olympic triumphs cemented her legacy globally. She went on to transition into the professional ranks, winning her debut in 2017 and capturing the WBO World Flyweight Title in 2018. Her impact extends far beyond the ring, inspiring countless people through her achievements, her advocacy for women in sport and her visibility within the LGBT+ community.

In addition to her sporting success, Nicola has received major honours throughout her career. She was appointed MBE in 2013 for services to boxing. She has topped influential lists, including being named the most influential LGBT person in the UK and featuring in the Powerlist of Most Influential Black Britons. Nicola has also become a prominent figure in popular culture, appearing on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing as part of the show’s first same-sex dance partnership, marking another significant moment for representation and inclusion.

Nicola continues to be a powerful role model and public voice. Her advocacy work, media presence and ongoing contributions to diversity and equality have established her as a prominent ambassador for positive change. In 2025, she received her OBE at Buckingham Palace, reaffirming her continued influence in sport and society.

Why Hire Nicola Adams?

Nicola Adams is an inspiring and charismatic speaker who shares powerful lessons on resilience, courage and breaking boundaries. Her journey from grassroots boxing to double Olympic champion offers universal lessons about ambition, perseverance and self-belief. Nicola is particularly skilled at connecting with audiences on themes of equality, confidence and overcoming adversity. She also speaks passionately about representation, drawing from her experiences as a pioneering woman in boxing and as a visible figure within the LGBT+ community. Whether addressing corporate teams, schools or global conferences, Nicola delivers energising and empowering messages that motivate audiences to aim higher and push past limitations.

Nicola Adams’s Career Highlights:

Below showcases Nicola Adams’s inspirational career hilights throughout the world of sports :

• 2025 – Featured as host for the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast to mark Pride Month, sharing inclusive and inspiring stories from sport.
• 2020 – Became the first celebrity to perform in a same-sex couple on Strictly Come Dancing.
• 2019 – Named in the Powerlist of the Most Influential Black Britons.
• 2018 – Won the WBO World Flyweight Title.
• 2017 – Won her professional boxing debut.
• 2017 – Awarded an OBE for services to boxing.
• 2016 – Successfully defended her Olympic title in Rio, the first British boxer to do so in 92 years.
• 2016 – Won the World Championship.
• 2015 – Won the European Games and received an Honorary Law Degree from the University of Leeds.
• 2014 – Claimed Commonwealth Games gold.
• 2013 – Appointed MBE for services to boxing.
• 2012 – Won Olympic gold at the London Games and was named the most influential LGBT person in the UK.
• 2012 – Became the first woman to receive an award from the Boxers Writers Club of Great Britain.
• 2011 – Won the European Championship.