Youth Olympics: Leeds boxer Hope Price wins Team GB's first gold in Buenos Aires

Leeds boxer Hope Price has claimed Team GB's first gold medal at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games after victory with a first round stoppage in his men's flyweight final.
Great Britain's Hope Price after the Gold Medal bout in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) with his team at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Joe Toth/PA Wire)Great Britain's Hope Price after the Gold Medal bout in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) with his team at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Joe Toth/PA Wire)
Great Britain's Hope Price after the Gold Medal bout in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) with his team at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Joe Toth/PA Wire)

Price, who came into the Games as the number one seed, made light work of Thailand’s Sarawut Sukthet, catching his opponent with early combinations as the Hunslet Club fighter started on the front foot.

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Leeds boxer Hope Price eyeing more glory in Youth Olympics

After just 109 seconds, which included a standing eight count, the referee brought an end to the contest with Sukhet unable to match Price’s speed and footwork.

Great Britain's Hope Price celebrates as he took the Gold Medal in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Simon Bruty/PA Wire)Great Britain's Hope Price celebrates as he took the Gold Medal in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Simon Bruty/PA Wire)
Great Britain's Hope Price celebrates as he took the Gold Medal in the Boxing Mens Fly (up to 52kg) at the Oceania Pavilion, Youth Olympic Park. (Picture: Simon Bruty/PA Wire)
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The 18-year-old is not only the first gold medallist for Team GB at the Games but also the first British boxer to win a Youth Olympic title, a piece of history not lost on Price.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “The Olympics is the best thing you can win in boxing.

“This medal means everything. Not just for me but for my dad and family too.

“The whole family has put a lot of time into me over the years so to repay them with a Youth Olympic gold medal, and to be the first Brit to win one here and the first boxer ever, it’s great. It’s a bit of history.

Great Britain's Hope Price fights for gold at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires (Picture: PA)Great Britain's Hope Price fights for gold at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires (Picture: PA)
Great Britain's Hope Price fights for gold at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires (Picture: PA)
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“There’s been a lot of good young boxers fight at these Youth Olympics in Nanjing and Singapore but none of them have won a gold medal.

“Hopefully I can go on and do half as well as they have done and hopefully get myself to Tokyo 2020.

“My dad’s here and is over the moon. My little brother (Ellis) is in Russia and has just won junior European bronze so it’s been a big week for the family.”

It was a devastating performance in the final, one that pleased Price enormously.

Leeds boxer Hope Price, centre, shows off his gold medal at the Youth Olympics.Leeds boxer Hope Price, centre, shows off his gold medal at the Youth Olympics.
Leeds boxer Hope Price, centre, shows off his gold medal at the Youth Olympics.
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“Not many people win an Olympic final with a stoppage – that’s because you’re up against the world’s best,” he said.

“I’ve felt like I’ve been growing into the competition with each day and each fight. Today I felt good and was finding my groove in the first round and before I knew it, it was over.

“I landed a couple of good shots and saw he was hurt so I took my chance.

“I was a little bit nervous pre-fight. I won silver at the World Championships so there were a bit of nerves and I wanted to come here and win gold medal.

Hope Price.Hope Price.
Hope Price.

“I’ve done that now and I’m over the moon.”

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Price was also proud of the mental focus he showed with boxing one of the last sports to begin in Buenos Aires. “You’ve got to maintain your weight and stay in that little bubble and I’m pleased I’ve shown discipline.”

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