10 August 2012
Last updated at 07:12 GMT
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There were jubilant scenes as Jade Jones claimed victory in her taekwondo fight
Messages of congratulation have poured in for Flintshire’s gold medal winning teenage taekwondo fighter Jade Jones after her Olympic victory.
Royal Mail has printed a stamp and will paint a post box gold in Flint after the 19-year-old claimed victory on Thursday in the 57kg category.
She becomes the youngest member of Team GB to take gold at London 2012.
Hundreds of supporters gathered in her home town’s social club where there were scenes of jubilation as she won.
Her father Gary Jones said: “I am so happy. I was so scared and so nervous.”
She joins Wrexham rower Tom James and Cardiff cyclist Geraint Thomas who also won gold during London 2012.
Royal Mail has printed a stamp in honour of Jade Jones’s gold medal
Mr Jones, who was hoarse from screaming support from the crowded London Excel arena, said: “I was in shock – I’m still in shock.
“I am so drained watching what she has achieved. I can’t imagine how she must be feeling.
“You know what? I can’t wait to see the post box in Flint painted gold for my daughter – it’s crackers.”
Jones, whose grandfather Martin Foulkes encouraged her to start the sport aged eight, was given rapturous applause after she claimed the prize at the arena.
Her supporters crammed into Flint Sports and Social Club, where her fights were being shown on a big screen.
Her uncle Jeffrey Jones, 42, said: “She’s got the gold. Absolutely fantastic. We’ve had a lovely day and we’re very, very proud of her.”
Golden girl: Jade Jones with her gold medal
He added: “Everyone is ecstatic. Really, really proud of the girl.”
Tributes have also been coming in from a range of new fans including TV presenter Lorraine Kelly who tweeted: “Well done jade jones – bloody brilliant”.
And news reader Jon Snow added: “Utterly magic Jade Jones (19) Gold in Taekwondo: Grandad Martin drove her 3hr round trip Wales/Manchester 4x’s aweek training: locally funded.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Many congratulations to Jade Jones on winning a third gold medal for Wales.
“Jade is Wales’ first female athlete to win gold at London 2012 and the first to win an individual gold, she should be very proud of her achievement.
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It was an amazing day for everyone in Flint. “I don’t think much work was done in Flint yesterday.”
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Lyn Leigh
Flint Sports and Social Club
“She showed some real grit and determination to win and will be an inspiration to our future Olympians.”
Sport Wales chair Laura McAllister said: “We are immensely proud of Jade Jones. To not only reach the Olympic final, but to win the gold medal at her first Games, and at just 19 years-old is just the most phenomenal achievement.”
Lyn Leigh, manager of Flint Sports and Social Club, said over 1,000 people cheered on the local girl who many have supported over the years, including helping her to raise money to pursue her dream before she secured sports funding.
“It was an amazing day for everyone in Flint,” she said.
“I don’t think much work was done in Flint yesterday.”
Jones ran a lap of honour around the arena waving a Welsh flag
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19205528#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
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