Shields' mother, Marcella Adams, celebrates after seeing her daughter win the gold medal.
/ Earl Arms
FLINT -- The only thing Marcella Adams knew to do was scream when she found out her daughter, Claressa Shields, became Flint's first individual gold medalist.
"She made history, my daughter," Adams said. "She deserves every bit of it. I'm so proud,"
Shields, 17, became the only boxer in 2012 to win a gold medal for USA Boxing. It was an accomplishment that brought her father, Clarence Shields, to tears.
"I usually cry when my baby girl fights--but some of this is sweat today," he said.
The Flint Northwestern senior's win brought the entire community of Flint together to celebrate a hometown victory.
"She's a light," Lisa Shields, Claressa's stepmother, said, "She represents the good that can come out of this city."
City of Flint Mayor Dayne Walling was also in attendance, calling Shields an Flint icon.
"She's an incredible source of inspiration for so many people in our community," he said.
Shields' entire family says this is something they can hold onto forever.
"Only greater things can happen," Briana Shields, Claressa's sister, said.
When asked what the victory meant to the family, Adams replied, "It's a new start."
More on Claressa's victory can be found here.
