Boxer Nicola’s appeal for return of her ‘sentimental’ belongings

Adams, who has been forced to withdraw from today’s English National Championships, appealed for the return of the items.

Adams and other family members were at home in Halton, Leeds, at the time of the break-in but were not aware of the burglary, which happened at around 8am on Wednesday, April 21.

Two cars, training kit and valuable personal possessions were taken. Adams’s boxing shorts and boxing equipment was in the boot of one of the cars.

Adams was due to contest the women’s 51kg flyweight division this weekend, with a prospective final showdown against her Great Britain rival Lisa Whiteside.

She said: “These items would mean very minimal to anyone else but are of sentimental value to me. I would be very grateful for the return of my car and stolen belongings, some of which were gifts to me following my much-recognised wins for England and Great Britain as well as personalised items meant for my next national match.”

She added: “Thank you to the district neighbourhood team who are doing everything they can to trace my car and items.”

The keys to her matt grey Hyundai Veloster Turbo, VL08STR, and a silver Ford Focus TDCi, YH09DLU, were taken, as well as an iPhone. Both cars were then driven away.

The items were in a red Team GB 2012 holdall and a Louis Vuitton overnight bag.

Three pairs of boxing boots were also stolen – including the pair she wore in the Commonwealth Games – and three pairs of boxing gloves.

They included a Winning brand black 14oz lace up pair, a Winning blue 12oz velcro strap pair with her name on them, and some red Adidas competition gloves.

A white Winning headguard and the shorts and vest she was due to compete in were also stolen and have her name on them.

An Omega Seamaster watch with diamonds around the face was also stolen, which was a gift to Nicola to mark her victory at the 2012 Olympics.

Her nutrition products were also in the car along with other personal items.

Adams had been due to fight today in what would have been her first fight in England since her gold medal triumph at London 2012.

Victory was likely to have taken her through to the Sunday final to face Whiteside - a former police officer - who won a world silver medal last year in Adams’ injury-enforced absence.

The bout at Liverpool’s Echo Arena was widely seen to have been an opportunity for Adams to reassert her dominance over her rival as part of preparations for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Detective constable Will Tsang, of Leeds District Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “Nicola is understandably distraught at the loss of these items that have such significant sentimental value to her.

“Much of the boxing equipment is very distinctive and we are appealing for anyone who may have been offered these items for sale or found them abandoned to contact us immediately.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who has seen either of the vehicles.”

Call DC Tsang at Elland Road via 101.