Kellie Harrington won Olympic gold after a stunning performance in Tokyo this morning.
The Dubliner came from behind to beat Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira on a unanimous decision in today’s lightweight final at the Kokugikan Arena.
Ferreira, walking down the Irish champion, took the first round 3-2, courtesy of hooks and uppercuts with Harrington beginning the find her range near the end of the round.
But the second round was all about Harrington, with the 2018 World Elite champion holding her composure and getting her timing and range spot on to take the frame on all five cards.
Ferreira, the 2019 World gold medalist. continued chasing Harrington in the third but the new Olympic champion kept picking off her shots en route to a famous win after a masterclass in the second and third rounds.
Harrington now joins Michael Carruth and Katie Taylor as one of three Irish boxers to win Olympic gold.
Irish boxing will be taking home one gold and one bronze, courtesy of Aidan Walsh, from Tokyo.
Harrington, who won four fights on her way to gold, is the eight Irish boxer to reach an Olympic final and Irish boxing has now won 18 Olympic medals since 1952.
“It’s just fantastic. I can’t wait to get back home,” Harrington of the St Mary’s BC told RTÉ Sport.
“I’m absolutely exhausted to be honest. What a journey, it’s just fantastic.”
“There have been times in my career when people say the whole country is behind you. This time I really, really feel the whole country is behind me.”
“This is the stuff of dreams. Thank you to the people back home for all the support. It really means the world to me.”
Tokyo Olympics
July 24th
Last 32
57kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Jose Quiles (Spain) 5-0
July 25th
Last 32
81kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) lost to Dilshod Ruzmetov (Uzbekistan) 0-5
July 26th
Last 32
52kg Brendan Irvine (Ireland) lost to Carlo Paalam (Philippines) 1-4
Last 16
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) lost to Irma Testa (Italy) 0-5
July 27th
Last 16
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) beat Albert Menque (Cameroon) 5-0
July 28th
Last 16
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) lost to Qian Li (China) 0-5
57kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Mirazizbek Mitzakhalilov (Uzbekistan) 4-1
July 30th
Last 16
60hk Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Rebecca Nicoli (Italy) 5-0
Quarter-final
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) beat Mervin Clair (Mauritius) 4-1
August 1st
Quarter-final
57kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) lost to Duke Ragan (USA) 2-3
Semi-final
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) lost to Pat McCormack (Great Britain) (W/O)
(Walsh sustains an ankle injury)
August 3rd
Quarter-final
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Imane Khelif (Algeria) 5-0
August 5th
Semi-final
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Sudaporn Sessondee (Thailand) 3-2
August 8th
Final
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Beatriz Ferreira (Brazil) 5-0