‘I work better under pressure’
I learned three things in 2016. One, how determined I am and two, how mentally strong I am. Three, I’ll come back to. At the start of 2016, I suffered an ankle injury during training. I was preparing for the qualifiers for Rio 2016. It came not long after a shoulder injury that had left me needing an operation. I don’t think I’ve ever felt pain like it, but I had to continue training.
Boxing is 50% physical, 50% mental. When you’re injured, both elements are tested. I train three times a day, Monday to Friday. I started boxing when I was 12. I love it because whatever you put into it, you get out of it. The harder you train, the more you win.
I work better when I’m under pressure. Having an injury gave me an extra kick. Fortunately, by May I was back to peak fitness and qualified for Rio. The expectation to achieve another gold following London 2012 was huge. Before I’d even got my place for Rio, people were saying I was going to get another gold. Everyone had such high hopes for me, but that gave me a boost. I’d rather people were saying, ‘She can do it.’ London was such a special Olympics. It was my first Games, my first gold and the amount of support from the home crowd was just unbelievable. But the encouragement from everyone was up there in Rio. I was getting messages on social media and daily calls from friends and family.
Younger boxers tell me I’m their role model and that I’m their hero – it’s so nice to hear. Sometimes, I can’t believe what I’ve achieved. It’s mad. All I’m thinking when I compete is that I want to win. Who’s my hero? Muhammad Ali. He was more than just a boxer – he was a character.
When I’m walking towards the ring I’m trying to enjoy the moment, then once I step inside I’m thinking about the tactics. Winning my second gold was just amazing. But that moment in the ring wasn’t my highlight. My highlight was standing on the podium. I just burst into tears. I never cry. I think it was just the emotion of training for the last four years, the injuries I’d suffered... everything really.
The third thing I’ve learned this year? That I can cry in public!