By Rob Cole
Lauren Price and Sammy Lee both struck gold on the greatest day in Welsh boxing history at the Commonwealth Games to give Team Wales another golden glow.
Price upgraded her bronze medal in Glasgow four years ago to gold at the Gold Coast as she won a split decision against home favourite Caitlin Parker to take the 75kg title.
Then, teenage sensation Lee lit up the Oxenford Studios with a magnificent display in the 81kg class.
Both Lee and his Samoan opponent, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, had boxed at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas last July. Lee struck gold on the final day on that occasion and did the same again in the senior ranks.
While Price had the honour of becoming the first Welsh woman to stand on top of the boxing podium at the Commonwealth Games, Lee was only the fifth Welsh man to win a boxing gold as he followed in the footsteps of Denis Reardon (1938), Howard Winstone (1958) Jamie Arthur (2002) and Sean McGoldrick (2010).
“I told you the Welsh Warrior was coming to get the gold. It feels amazing having won the Youth Games last year and now this – I can’t believe it,” said Lee after his victory.
“It is tougher fighting the men, but I just had to go in there and show them who’s the boss. The Tokyo Olympic Games is my main aim now and I want to show everything I can do to make it.”
Fellow teenager Plodzicki-Faoagali, who had previously boxed for Australia before turning to Samoa, attempted to tear into Lee in the opening round, but found the Swansea fighter’s right jab and Lee’s left upper cut difficult to deal with.
The Samoan then had a point deducted in the second for excessive holding. Lee made the most of his chance and a great left hook forced Plodzicki-Faoagali to take a standing count.
That was the fight in two quick moments and Lee kept out of danger, working behind his jab, to come out as a unanimous winner. It was performance beyond his years and earned huge praise from Welsh coach Colin Jones and TV commentator Richie Woodhall.
“It was a tremendous display by Lee, taking his opponent head on and getting the tactics right. He brought him onto shots and used his lovely left hand. Lee really was superb,” said Woodhall.
Price had to use all the confidence and class she has picked up as part of the GB Boxing podium squad in Sheffield to beat the five time Australian national champion. It was close throughout, but Price’s cleaner shots won it in the end.
The 23-year-old Price, from Bargoed, can now add the Commonwealth gold medal to her bronze from Glasgow, her four World Kicking-Boxing title and her Wales football international caps. It is some collection from one of Wales’ greatest all-round sportswomen.
Her success was backed up superbly by team mate Rosie Eccles, who was pipped to gold in the 69kg final in an even tighter contest by England’s Sandy Ryan.