Adams is a pioneer, the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title, she is the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist. She is the reigning Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European champion. It’s been a long road though for the Briton, having worked as an extra on several UK soap operas as well as builder before the IOC backed funding for women’s boxing in 2009.

Turning 34 today, Adams was the first English woman to win a medal in a major tournament, taking silver at the 2007 European Championships. In 2011, she won European gold. At the 2012 Olympics, Adams defeated world number one Ren Cancan to claim gold. It led to her being awarded an MBE.

She claimed the Commonwealth title in 2014, while at Rio she defended her Olympic title against France’s Sarah Ourahmoune.

More sport star birthdays on this day:

1971: Audley Harrison, British ex-boxer who won Olympic gold in 2000 as well as the WBF heavyweight title (45).

1980: Cristian Chivu, Romanian footballer who won 74 caps and 2010 Champions Leagyue with Inter Milan (36).

1984: Jefferson Farfan, footballer who has played for Al Jazira, Schalke and PSV, winning 73 caps for Peru (32).

1985: Kieran Read, All Blacks captain with 94 caps. Plays club rugby for Super Rugby side the Crusaders (31).