Baku European Games 2015: Nicola Adams feels ‘10 times better’ after latest gold quest starts with impressive win

Olympic gold medallist made light work of Katalin Ancsin

(Getty Images)

Nicola Adams showed no signs of ring rust as she made light work of her opening-round opponent at the European Games on Friday.

The 32-year-old flyweight is taking part in her first major competition since having shoulder surgery in the autumn and looked impressive in a unanimous points victory over Hungary’s Katalin Ancsin.

Adams, the first woman to win Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, said: “I am feeling 10 times better than last year. It was really tough with the shoulder injury but now I feel like myself and the jab is pumping out. Everything went to plan in there.”

Next up in the quarter-finals is a meeting with Bulgaria’s Stoyka Petrova, the only women to beat Adams since she won Olympic gold at London 2012.

“That defeat will not play on my mind,” said Adams. “We boxed in Spain a couple of weeks ago and I had the upper hand against her then. Every time I go in the ring I am confident and this fight will be no different.”

However, Petrova, 29, who beat Adams at last year’s European Championships, said she is confident of a repeat victory. “I know how to beat her,” she said. “We have had a lot of fights together and I know her very well. I hope we will have a very classy fight.”

In the middleweight division, Britain’s Savannah Marshall suffered defeat in her opening-round fight, losing to European champion Nouchka Fontijn. The 24-year-old said: “She is a world-class opponent and I think she will go on and win the tournament. This was my first major tournament this year so, hopefully, if I get more active I will see results.”

Britain added to their medal total yesterday when Hannah Baughn and Ryan Bartlett took gymnastics bronze in the acrobatic mixed pair all-around competition.

Bianca Walkden failed to win a taekwondo medal in the 67kg division but Britain will be in contention for medals in other sports this weekend.

Teenage shooting star Amber Hill competes in the women’s skeet shooting today, while British boxers Joe Joyce and Muhammad Ali are also in action. Millie Fowler and Millie Hafferty will take part in the synchronised 3m springboard diving, while Katherine Driscoll competes on the trampoline on Sunday.

Baku will host the inaugural European Games