Kellie Harrington
Irish lightweight Kellie Harrington is the new AIBA World Elite champion.
The Dubliner, who boxes out of the St Mary’s BC, beat Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee on a 3-2 split decision today to top the lightweight podium in New Delhi, India.
Final scores – 29-28,29-28,29-28 to Harrington – 30-27, 29-28 to Seesondee.
Harrington, a silver medallist at light welter at the 2016 World Elites, is a two-weight World medallist.
Today’s victory sees the lightweight title return to Ireland for a 6th time since 2006. Ireland (6) Canada (2), France and Russia are the only nations to hold the 60kg belt.
Harrington also becomes the third Irish boxer after Katie Taylor and Michael Conlan to win World Elite gold.
“It’s always been my dream to become a World champion. The support from home has been phenomenal as well, I would like to thank everyone for their support,” said the new world champion after her fifth win in New Delhi.
The Dubliner was the first Irish boxer into the ring in New Delhi on Friday week last and she was the last Irish boxer out of the ring today – with a gold medal.
The Irish squad are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport at 4pm tomorrow (Terminal 1). All media are invited to Sunday’s homecoming.
(Images, courtesy of Tibor, of Harrington in action)
AIBA WORLD WOMEN’S ELITE CHAMPIONSHIPS NEW DELHI, INDIA
November 16
Last 32
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Troy Garton (New Zealand) 5-0
November 17
Last 32
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) beat Gabriela Dimitrova Bulgaria) 3-2
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Lacramiora Perijoc (Romania) 4-1
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) beat Ekaterina Dynnik (Russia) 4-1
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Ya Chu Yang (Taipei) 5-0
November 18
Last 16
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Sarita Devi (India) 3-2
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) lost to Noella Perez (Argentina) 2-3
November 19
Last 16
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) lost to Namiki Tukimi (Japan) 2-3
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) lost to Alessia Mesiano (Italy) 1-4
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) beat Ani Hovsepyan (Armenia) 5-0
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) lost to Lauren Price (Wales) 0-5
November 20
Q/Finals
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Caroline Veyre (Canada) 5-0
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) lost to Simranjit Baath Kaur (India) 1-3
November 22
S/Finals
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Karina Ibragimova (Kazakhstan) 5-0
60kg Sudapo Seesondee (Thailand) beat Yeonji Oh (Korea) Pts
November 24
Final
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Sudapo Seesondee (Thailand) 3-2
Irish squad
51kg Ceire Smith (Virginia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s) (Gold)
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kh Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)
Team manager: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Zaur Antia & Dmitry Dimitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte