Hundreds of people gathered to bring home Wales’ first female world champion boxer Lauren Price.
The street outside her grandmother’s house in Ystrad Mainach, County Caerphilly, was filled with friends and well-wishers.
On Saturday night, Price became the country’s 14th world champion in front of a huge crowd at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena.
She said: “I want to continue creating a Welsh tradition.”
- author, eleanor rice
- role, bbc news
And as the excitement and pride reached its peak, Price’s nan Linda Jones said she was “over the moon” about the win.
“I think she deserves every moment of that glory,” she added.
Linda, who raised the fighter with her late husband Derek, prepared the new champion a Sunday dinner that included a pig in a blanket at Price’s request.
Waiting in the street was Fionn Perry, who had joined the fight.
“The atmosphere was just incredible,” she said.
“I’ve known Lauren since she was little and we used to kickbox together.
“There was no doubt in my mind that she was going to hit it out of the park,” she added.
“She really taught us Welsh people how to do it,” said Jess Jenkins, who watched from home with friends.
“It was a very, very good match and we’re all really proud of her.”
Price said she was “overwhelmed” by the turnout.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect so many people to gather today.
“But they blew me out of the venue again. There’s nothing like the Welsh fans.”
Price was already a kickboxing champion by the age of 12, won international football caps for Wales and won a gold medal in boxing at the last Tokyo Olympics.
Nevertheless, she described her fight with American Jessica McCaskill as “one of the best nights of my career”.
Walking into Wyma-o-Hyde in Dafydd Iwan, she said the atmosphere was exciting.
“I thought it was insane to come out like this when the Welsh fans were singing along, but it certainly lived up to my expectations,” she said. .
Regarding future developments, Lauren said, “I think there will be a lot of big matches in the future.
“Welsh boxing is still in its infancy and I’m looking forward to the future.”