Team Ireland Head Coach, Zauri Antia, has been nominated as Manager of the Year in the RTE Sport Awards.
Team Ireland boxers have had an incredible year, winning 51 medals at all age categories on the international stage. These include two senior World golds, 4 senior European golds, 3 silver and 2 bronze. For the first time, the Women’s Team was named best in Europe. Zauri joined the Irish High Performance Team as Technical/Tactical Coach in 2003. He was named Head Coach in 2015.
Boxing is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport, winning 18 of Ireland’s 35 medals. 9 boxing medals have been won since 2008.
This is Zauri’s second time to be nominated for the RTE Sport accolade – he is shortlised alongside Stephen Bradley (Soccer), Brian Dowling (Camogie), Dominic Casey (Rowing), Andy Farrell (Rugby), John Kiely (Hurling), Willie Mullins (Horse Racing), Eamonn Murray (Womens Football), Ronan O’Gara (Rugby), Jack O’Connor (Men’s Football) and Vera Pauw (Soccer)
Zauri is the only nominee representing a solely individual sport, or a combat sport.
Zauri’s is boxing’s second nomination this year. 2022 light middleweight World Champion, Lisa O’Rourke, is nominated in the Young Sportsperson of the Year category, alongside Rhasidat Adeleke, James Culhane, Eve McMahon and Israel Olatunde.
The winners will be announced live on RTÉ One on Saturday night, 17 December, in an awards show presented by Jacqui Hurley, Evanne Ní Chuilinn and Ruby Walsh.