IRELAND DUE HOME FROM WORLD ELITES TONIGHT

 

The 2019 World Elite Women’s Championships concluded in Ulan-Ude, Siberia last evening.

Ireland’s four-strong squad finished in 15th spot in the rankings table after recording six wins out of ten bouts in eastern Russia.

Russia topped the medals table with three gold, silver and two bronze. Russia claimed three gold and bronze at the Men’s World Elites in Ekaterinburg, Russia last month and finished second in the medals table.

The host nation, which did not bank any gold at Hamburg 2017 (Men’s) and New Delhi 2018 (Women’s), won 30% of the male and female World titles available in the last two months.

All the Irish panel were beaten by medallists in the last 16 and quarter-finals in Siberia, with Cork welter Christina Desmond losing out to Turkey’s eventual 69kg champion Busenaz Surmeneli.

Wales’ Lauren Price won the middleweight title after a successful appeal on the last day of competition.

Price initially lost on a 3-2 split to Rio 2016 finalist Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands, who Desmond has beaten in the past, but Team GB appealed and the decision was overturned.

Russia, Philippines, Brazil, Turkey and Wales won titles in the five Olympics weights – fly, feather, light, welter and middle – for women at the 11th edition of the tournament.

Europe won nine of the 20 gold, silver and bronze medals on offer in the five Olympic female limits in Ulan-Ude ahead of the European qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 in London next March.

The Irish squad and staff are scheduled to arrive home from Siberia via Dublin Airport at 11.30pm tonight (October 14, Terminal 2 via Berlin).

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