Teen destined for 'bigger things' after medal win

A teenage boxer is destined for “bigger things” after clinching silver at her first Commonwealth Games, says Olympic champion, Nicola Adams.

Dorset’s Ruby White, 19, competed in the Flyweight final on Saturday, against India’s Sakshi Chaudhary, after an eight-year unbeaten run.

After having three “comfortable wins” at the games in Glasgow, White told the BBC, she “cried her eyes out” under pressure before taking on her bigger, more experienced opponent.

Adams was a surprise guest for Ruby on BBC Radio Solent earlier and said: “I watched how you [White] carried yourself through the whole championships and I believe that you will come back bigger and stronger and move on to bigger things”.

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Ruby White had felt under pressure before the gold medal match [Reuters]

White, from the north Dorset village of Stalbridge, only progressed onto the senior Great Britain programme in May where her 68 consecutive fight winning streak ended.

“I knew it was going to be a tough and difficult fight,” she said. “If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think my head was in it”.

“Before I left the hotel to warm up and the venue I was crying my eyes out because the pressure just got too much,” she said.

She said she was a “young girl” and it was “very difficult” for her to get in the ring and “have to fight somebody”.

White said Adams was a “massive role model” to her.

Adams said White should be “incredibly proud” and winning the Commonwealth silver medal was “something to be so proud of”.

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Tearing up, White said her family and supporters had been “so amazing” [PA]

White’s sister Maisie also joined in radio breakfast show surprise. White had told her there was “absolutely no chance” she would get picked for the games so her sister booked a holiday to Turkey.

Maisie watched her sister compete in bars with British tourists while away and said she was “so proud” of her sister.

She said her achievement having only been picked in May was “amazing” and showed how talented she was.

Tearing up, White said her sister had been her “biggest supporter” and her family and supporters had been “so amazing”.