Team Ireland complete their final training camp in Germany tomorrow before packing their bags for the 2019 World Women’s Elite Championships in Siberia, Russia.
Just under 70 nations are expected to compete in the 11th edition of the tournament in Ulan-Ude close to the Mongolian border.
Ireland is training with the host nation, Australia and USA at the German Olympic Centre in Kienbaum, about 35km east of Berlin.
Cavan flyweight Ceire Smith, Belfast featherweight Michaela Walsh, Dundalk lightweight Amy Broadhurst, who reached the last eight at the World Elites in New Delhi last year, and Cork welterweight Christina Desmond line out for Ireland in Ulan-Ude.
Smith, Walsh, Broadhurst, Desmond, Carly McNaul and Grainne Walsh are training in Germany.
WORLD WOMEN’S ELITE CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
Speaking from Kienbaum, Bernard Dunne, IABA High-Performance Director, said that the squad are in top shape ahead of the biggest outing of the year for Irish women’s boxing.
The 2019 World Women’s Elite Championships is not a qualifier for Tokyo 2020. There will be two European and World qualifiers in London and Paris next March and May before the door to the 32nd Olympiad is closed.
The draw for the World Women’s Elites will be held next Wednesday. Boxing begins 24 hours later.
Seeding will be in operation at the competition, according to the Team Delegation Handbook.
Ulan-Ude is seven hours ahead of Ireland.
(Image, Irish squad at Dublin Airport)
Irish squad (Kienbaum)
51kg Carly McNaul (Holy Family)
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown, Antrim)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Spartacus)
69kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
High-Performance Director: Bernard Dunne
Head coach: Zaur Antia
Dimitry Dimitruk and Damian Kennedy