Leeds boxer targets historic gold medal at London 2012 as Britain endure quiet time on podium

Leeds boxer Adams will challenge for an Olympic title and a place in history today as she bids to become the first woman to claim a gold medal in the fledgling sport.

The 29-year-old fights her long-time rival Ren Cancan of China after defeating former five-time world champion Mery Kom on points in yesterday’s semi-final.

“I am going to do everything exactly the same as normal and treat it like a regular tournament,” said Adams ahead of the biggest day of her life.

“Hopefully the crowd will give me a boost and I can get that gold.

“I have been training since I was 12-years-old and to think I am nearly there now makes me so happy.”

Jamaican sprinter Bolt cruised through the semi-finals of the 200m and will line up in tonight’s final looking to become the first man in history to win both the 100m and 200m titles in successive Olympics.

And in an ominous warning to the rest of the field that includes his countryman Yohan Blake and American Wallace Spearmon, Bolt warned that he intends to seal his place among the greats in the Olympic Stadium tonight.

“People are always doubting a champion. But that is why I am here, to cement my legendary status.

“I am focused and I am ready,” said Bolt, who won the 100m in the second fastest time in history on Sunday night.

“The track is fast. It’s going to be a good race, a lot of good competitors.”

Bolt only set the fifth fastest time of last night’s semi-finals, a mark of 20.18 seconds, nearly a full minute slower than the 19.19 seconds world record he set in Berlin in 2009.

Blake clocked 20.01 with Spearmon crossing the line in 20.02, while France’s Christophe Lemaitre hinted at a possible bronze-medal bid with a time of 20.03.

But an unfazed Bolt, who will start one lane from either the outside or inside lanes, said: “It is all about going through as easy as possible,” he said.

“I am ready, this is my favourite event.

“Spearmon has been here before, so he knows what it takes,” he said.

“There’s lots of people that could spoil the party.”

While Bolt coasted, the host nation’s medal surge ground to a halt.

Britain won 22 gold medals and a multitude of silver and bronze over a memorable seven-day period at London 2012.

They won eight medals on Tuesday and six golds on Super Saturday.

But the hosts failed to claim a place on the podium for the first time since the opening day of medal competition yesterday, although with the performance of Adams and sailors Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, who assured themselves of a medal in the women’s 470 class, there were some positive notes.

But there was agony in Greenwich Park for British showjumping trio Nick Skelton, Scott Brash and Ben Maher – team gold medallists on Monday – who all missed out on the podium.

Skelton and Brash both went clear for their first rounds, but neither could repeat the feat second time around as one fence down apiece saw them finish joint fifth.

Skelton said: “It’s one of those things.

“He hasn’t touched a jump all week, and that was the worst time to hit one.”

Britain’s three-time world champion Shanaze Reade was fifth fastest qualifier as the BMX competition got under way.

She clocked 39.368 seconds in the time trial which decided 
seedings for tomorrow’s semi-finals.

And GB’s women’s dreams of a first Olympic hockey final were shattered by world champions Argentina.

The hosts left themselves too much to do after first-half goals from Noel Barrionuevo and Carla Rebecchi.

Although Alex Danson’s late close-range strike set up a grandstand finish it proved to be little consolation.

Olympics: Page 22-23.