The Rising Sports Phenomenon: From Soccer Star to Boxing Champion
At just eight years old, Lauren Price set ambitious goals for herself - to excel as a kickboxing world champion, represent Wales in international soccer, and grace the Olympic Games with her talent. Discover the inspiring journey of this multi-talented athlete who balanced training, competing, and even driving taxis to pursue her dreams.
When Lauren Price was eight years old, she set three goals for herself: to become a kickboxing**** world champion, play international soccer for Wales, and compete at an Olympic Games.
Growing up usually means making tough choices and giving up on some dreams to focus on one. Many people hope that at least one of their dreams will come true if they are lucky.
Lauren Price never had to choose between kickboxing**** and soccer. By the age of 12, she was already a world kickboxing**** champion and went on to win the title three more times.
Before reaching 18, Lauren had represented Wales in soccer twice at the senior level and 50 times at under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels. She even captained her team. Both soccer and kickboxing**** were achievements she could proudly check off her list.
Watching female boxers compete in the Olympics for the first time at London 2012 motivated Price to pursue boxing. She decided to switch from soccer to focus on this new sport.
Her dedication paid off when she achieved a remarkable feat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Price won a gold medal in the female middleweight division, showcasing her talent and hard work.
Lauren Price was a talented soccer player as well.
Lauren Price was a talented soccer player as well.
On Saturday, Natasha Jonas achieved a significant milestone by becoming Wales’ first female world champion boxer. She secured this title by defeating Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff, Wales. The fight was stopped early due to medical advice to treat McCaskill’s injured and swollen eye.
Price, now the WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight champion, expressed his ambitions to broadcaster We, saying, "This is just the start. I want to build a legacy and create greatness, like Katie Taylor did for Ireland. I want to do the same for Wales."
Despite achieving her childhood dreams inside the ring, Price faced challenges outside of it in order to make them a reality.
Price started boxing while balancing her training with her job as a teaching assistant. She also provided support to a girl with special educational needs. Later on, she worked as a taxi driver for her grandparents' company, driving people to and from Cardiff on Friday and Saturday nights.
Her grandparents, Linda and Derek, took care of her from the time she was only three days old.
They were the ones who introduced Price to sports for the first time. Linda explained to The National Lottery in 2021 that it was initially a way to channel all her energy as a child.
Lauren Price won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Lauren Price won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
"They always encouraged me and reminded me to have faith in my dreams. My grandmother used to say ‘aim for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.’"
"Even to this day, she still gives me a good luck card that I read before my fights. It's the small gestures that mean the most."
Price's grandfather, Derek, unfortunately passed away in November 2020. He was unable to witness her incredible journey to becoming an Olympic champion and being hailed as the new boxing "superstar" by Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom, as reported by the BBC.
"I truly believe that with hard work and unwavering determination, anyone can turn their dreams into reality," Price shared with We on Saturday, just before her world title fight.
“I was a kid once and I had three things … I managed to tick all three of them with the love and support of my grandparents.”
Editor's P/S:
Lauren Price's remarkable journey is an inspiring testament to the power of determination and hard work. Despite facing challenges, she never gave up on her dreams and achieved extraordinary success in multiple sports. Her story highlights the importance of believing in oneself and pursuing one's passions relentlessly.
Price's dedication to achieving her goals is evident in her willingness to balance her training with various jobs. Her grandparents played a crucial role in her development, encouraging her to aim high and providing unwavering support. Their belief in her potential and the small gestures they made, such as the good luck cards, made a significant impact on her journey. Price's success is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride for Wales and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.
