Scholar and boxer Savannah Marshall reflects on emotional and amazing Rio Olympics

After a nightmare Olympics in London four years ago, Savannah Marshall was desperate to make amends in Rio.

The 25-year-old from Hartlepool, supported by Sky since 2012, may not have got her hands on a medal in Brazil but the middleweight boxer let nobody down with defeat in the quarter-finals.

Here are the thoughts of the Sky Academy Sports Scholar on her experiences at the Games...

1. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RIO A MONTH AFTER RETURNING HOME?

It was brilliant. I was away for four weeks and I just really enjoyed myself. I felt I was unlucky not to win a medal but it was just one of those things and I've got to move on.

For a country that's supposed to be struggling economically, Brazil did an amazing job of hosting the Games. There seemed to be loads of criticism about the Olympics but I thought it was brilliant.

2. SUM UP YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THREE WORDS

Tropical. Brilliant. Disappointing.

3. ANY CHANCE TO SEE MUCH OF RIO?

I didn't really get a chance to go out and see much of the city. The parts I did see were exactly what I felt Brazil was all about.

I was mainly in the Olympic village and that was amazing. The whole scenery, the backdrops - it was a bit like paradise.

I only saw the boxing though because that was taking place from the start to finish of the Games. There was just no time to see anything else.

This sounds a bit strange but it was almost quite boring because of the schedule. You'd get up and you'd be in team meetings if you weren't boxing. Then you'd go to the venue and come back for food.

There wasn't any time to do anything else. It was all so well planned. I was participating at an Olympics so how could it be boring?

One thing that didn't impress me was the food. I'm quite picky and you'd have breakfast and then go back for lunch and it would be the same!

4. HOW WAS THE MOOD IN THE GB CAMP?

It was really upbeat and there was always something going on. They had bars at our team's HQ where you could see everybody and check up on how everybody was getting on. It was just great to be part of.

5. TALK THROUGH YOUR BOXING COMPETITION

I was really nervous for my first fight. It was against Sweden's Anna Laurell and I  had a long wait so that didn't help!

But it all went smoothly in the ring and it was quickly on to the next one. The second fight was against the Dutch girl Nouchka Fontijn and I don't think the scores showed just how close it was.

I felt I was unlucky with the scores. If they had been more reflective of the fight then I feel I could have won with a split decision. 

After the fight though, I was fuming. But it's not the end of the world and I've realised there are much more important things going on in my life.

I just wanted to get back home and get back into a routine and it's just made me realise what I've already got.

6. WHAT POSITIVES CAN YOU TAKE FROM RIO?

I was really pleased with my fitness. I felt I worked really hard and I was fitter than her in the quarter-final and that was one of the main things I was happy with.

I was also happy to have learned a few lessons from London. I knew what to expect in Rio so everything I experienced wasn't as much of a shock.

I felt a lot of pressure at London 2012 but this time round I felt I coped really well with that aspect of things. 

But I have no regrets about anything I did out there. I gave it everything I had. There's nothing I'd change going into that fight again. I boxed the right fight and I felt I was unlucky not to come away with a medal.

7. WHAT'S NEXT?

At the moment I'm taking some time off and just trying not to think about the Olympics. I've been doing everything apart from thinking about boxing! I've been catching up with friends, family and been eating out practically every night!

The only thing missing is a routine! I've not been back in the ring and not been in the gym. I don't really want to compete for the rest of the year and I just want to get my mind clear.

WHAT'S COMING UP...

SEPTEMBER 7 - 18: Paralympic Games, Rio

SEPTEMBER 10: Holly Bradshaw and Mark English, Great NorthCity Games