Grainne Walsh opened Ireland’s account at the 2nd Olympic World Qualifier with a resounding win.
The 66kg boxer was the only Irish athlete in action on the first day of the tournament – and took on Vietnam’s Mai Ngoc Hoang. Grainne’s performance was decisive, and she won each round 5-0. Judges scored the bout 30:27; 30:27; 30:27; 20:37; 30:27. Grainne has a long wait before she steps back in to the ring. She is next in action on Wednesday’s Evening Session, against PRK’s Sun Hyo Hwang.
579 boxers from 133 countries are contesting the tournament. As with the 1st Olympic World Qualifier in March, boxers will contest to quota; meaning, they will cease to box at a qualification bout. There will be no semi-finals or finals, and no medals bestowed. In5 of the weights Ireland is contesting in Bangkok (50kg, 54kg, 66kg, 51kg and 92+kg), 4 Paris quota places are available. In Men’s 71kg, 5 quota places are available, and there are 3 in Men’s 80kg – which means the de-facto bronze medalists will box off for the final quota place in that weight.
Images: Joe Walsh
Day Two – Round of 64.
Two Ireland boxers are in action from 7am on Saturday morning, in the Morning Session. 51kg Sean Mari opens proceedings in Ring B, contesting against Muhammad Faheem of Pakistan. At around 9am on Saturday, 80kg Kelyn Cassidy takes on Germany’s Denlil Dadaev.
The tournament will not be live-streamed until May 30th, when it reaches the Quarter Finals stage. Thereafter, it will be available at Olympics.com
Team
The maximum team size any federation may qualify for an Olympic Games is 13. Six Team Ireland boxers have already qualified: reigning Olympic lightweight champ, Kellie Harrington, and now double Olympians 57kg Michaela Walsh and Aoife O’Rourke. 57kg Jude Gallagher booked his ticket to Paris at the 1st Olympic World Qualifier. 63.5kg Dean Clancy and heavyweight, Jack Marley, qualified at the 2023 European Games.
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Co. Wicklow
54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family Golden Gloves BC, Belfast
There are 7 days remaining to register for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) which will take place at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Sunday June 2nd.
Resolution
That, subject to consent of the members that certain Members legal costs in the amount of €49,108.28 incurred in the arbitrations between the certain members and the Company and which arbitrations were delivered in or around May 2022 be reimbursed by the IABA.
Rationale for this General Meeting
In August 2021, 25 members were removed from the IABA by Central Council. This decision was upheld by an IABA membership committee on 12th November 2021. The certain members successfully appealed through Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland (SDSI) Arbitration to restore the members. The Arbitrator did not award them their legal costs.
At the AGM of the Company in 2023 members made representations to the AGM that they would like this issue re-examined.
The Arbitrators did not ultimately award any legal costs to the members on the basis that each party would normally bear its own costs by reference to the principles set out in the SDSI Rules.
At the meeting of the Board of Directors on 1 May 2024 it was resolved that this matter would be put to the membership for consideration and their vote on the matter.
The Board recognises and appreciates the concerns expressed by a number of Members. The board is mindful that they are the custodians of the governance of the association on behalf of the members and they believe that the question of reimbursement is one that should be left to the members to determine.
According the matter for determination of the members is: “The Members direct the Company to reimburse the legal costs of the 25 certain members previously involved in Arbitration against the Company and which sum amounts to total €49.108.28”.
Answers to be
YAY (To vote for the reimbursement of the legal costs)
or
NAY (To vote against the reimbursement of the legal costs)
Informational only
The Meeting is called in accordance with the Constitution of the Association (as amended)
The Notice shall be 14 days.
The Quorum at the meeting shall be at least 40 Affiliated member clubs represented in person.
If within half an hour from the time appointed a quorum is not present at the meeting it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place and if a quorum is not present within a half an hour from the time appointed the members present shall be a quorum.
The resolution shall be decided on a show of hands unless a poll (before the declaration of the result of the show of hands) is demanded.
Where there is an equality of votes the Chair of the meeting shall be entitled to a casting vote.
Registration opened at midday on May 20th and will close at 5pm on May 30th.
Eligibility – All clubs clubs successfully affiliated for 2023/2024 season.
Attendees: Eligible clubs may nominate any two adult members to attend as delegates – one to be a voting delegate, one to be a non-voting delegate. Delegates nominated by clubs must verified members – this means they must be included in the club’s affiliation application, through Blocworx, for the 2023/2024 season as members and be over the age of 18. *Please note, delegates will be required to present photographic identification (passport, drivers’ licence, etc) on the day of the EGM.
Any questions which your club might wish to raise at the EGM the resolution and the motion or any other matter, should be submitted in advance of the EGM, either by post care of The Company Secretary to The National Stadium, 145 South Circular Road, Dublin 8, or by email to info@iaba.ieno later than 5:00pm on Monday, May 27th. This will facilitate us in providing the fullest response to any queries at the EGM.
There are just over 24 hours left for entries to the 2024 National Junior Cadet Championship, for boxers born in 2010 and 2011.
Entries are via clubs’ Blocworx portal. Entries and fees payments are accepted until 5pm on Friday, May 24th.
Competition Arrangements:
Venue: National Stadium, Dublin.
Dates: May 31st, June 01st ,07th,8th, 9th,14th, 15th.
Entries: A non–refundable entry fee of €20 applies, including in the event of a boxer withdrawal. Online entry, via the Blocworx portal, is open until 5pm sharp, on Friday, May 24th. Entries will not be accepted without the payment of entry fees. All fees must be paid by 5pm on May 24th. Only boxers for whom entries have been completed and entry fees have been received will be allowed to box.
As the Cadet championships form a basis for team selection to international competition, please be aware that all boxers entering this competition must: (1) be members of an IABA affiliated club, (2) must be explicitly named in their club’s Blocworx portal, (3) be eligible to represent IABA under IBA eligibility regulations {4.2}, holding an applicable in-date passport, (4) parents/guardians must have completed the applicable waiver/code of conduct process.
No International competition kits to be worn by any boxers; boxers may wear club kit, only.
Entry Form: Affiliated clubs wishing to enter boxers into the championships must log-in to their Blocworx portal, using their unique username and password. Clubs who have not retained their username or password following the completion of their affiliation for the 2022/2023 season can contact IABA staff, Sally Ann Kinch sally@iaba.ie, James Geraghty, James@iaba.ie or Ciara Plunkett, ciara@iaba.ie
Draws: Tuesday, 28th May, 1pm in the National Stadium.
Only boxers entered through the Blocworx portal for whom fees are fully paid will be included in the draw.
Attention is drawn to the following IABA rule –
(A club shall not include in its list of members the name of any person who is a member of any other club.)
Accordingly, any club making an entry to the Junior Cadet championships affirms that the entrant is not a member of any other club, in any jurisdiction.
Weigh-in and Medical: Boxers will weigh only on the day they box. Individual weigh-in times may be given to participants, but this will be decided and made known prior to the event. Boxing Record books to be presented by the boxer at their initial weigh-in.
Weigh-in dates: Friday in National Stadium 8:00 to 9:00am and 12:00 to 1:00pm. Further weigh-in times will be announced after the draw.
Boxing: Times will be contingent on entries and shall be announced after the draw.
Duration: Duration of rounds: Boys & Girls 3 x 1.5 Minutes
Additional Boys weights, outside the weight categories being boxed in the applicable international competition: 29kg, 31kg, 33kg, 36kg, 38kg and 90+kg.
Additional Girls weights, outside the weight categories being boxed in the applicable international competition: 29kg, 31kg, 33kg, 36kg, and 70+kg.
Clubs with boxers in the 90+kg or 70+kg category must make contact with National Registrar Philip Rooney boxing.referee@hotmail.com to specify their boxer’s weights.
Age Requirements: Boxers born between 2010 to 2011 inclusive.
Waiver & Code of Conduct: It is a condition of entry/participation that the parents/guardians of all competitors completed the online Waiver/Code of Conduct process, which includes key safeguarding elements for competitions.
It is a condition of participation that all officials have completed the Waiver/Members Acknowledgement form adhere to any agreement made with the Association sponsors.
Anti-Doping may be carried out at any stage of the championships and all boxers must advise the doctor of any medication they are taking or have taken in the preceding 4 weeks. It is imperative that all boxers adhere to the Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations. For any queries regarding this matter, boxers/coaches should contact Mr Larry Morrison, IBA Anti-Doping Officer on 086-0292476.
Non-Pregnancy Declaration forms must be signed.
Attire: Boxers shall have one red and one blue vest. Hair must be tied back, and swimming hats or hairnets should be worn under the headgear for boxers with long hair. No red, orange or pink gum shields are allowed.
Coaches: They must wear track suitsandrunners at all sessions and endeavour to set a high standard of hygiene in the corners. No shorts, caps or hats are allowed. Only qualified coaches are permitted in corners.
Sportsmanship: All decisions must be accepted in a sporting manner. Any complaints must be addressed to the Chief Official, Mr. Philip Rooney. Please show respect to all Ringside Officials
Waiver/Code of Conduct
Completion, by parents/guardians, of the waiver and code of conduct process is a requirement of entry.
The draws have taken place in the 2nd Olympic World Qualifier in Bangkok.
579 boxers from 133 countries will contest the tournament. As with the 1st Olympic World Qualifier in March, boxers will contest to quota; meaning, they will cease to box at a qualification bout. There will be no semi-finals or finals, and no medals bestowed. In5 of the weights Ireland is contesting in Bangkok (50kg, 54kg, 66kg, 51kg and 92+kg), 4 Paris quota places are available. In Men’s 71kg, 5 quota places are available, and there are 3 in Men’s 80kg – which means the de-facto bronze medalists will box off for the final quota place in that weight.
50kg Daina Moorehouse has a bye to the Round of 16 and will first meet Grigoryan of Armenia. 54kg Jenny Lehane has a bye to the Round of 16 and takes on Lopez of Puerto Rico in her opening bout. 66kg Grainne Walsh opens her campaign at the tournament at the Round of 32 stage, against Hoang of Vietnam. 51kg Sean Mari contests his first bout of the tournament in the Round of 32 against Faheem of Pakistan. 71kg Aidan Walsh has a Round of 64 against Maina of Kenya – his category is among the largest at the tournament and includes 70 boxers. 80kg Kelyn Cassidy makes his debut at Round of 32 stage against Dadaev of Germany and 92+kg Martin McDonagh is first in action at the Round of 16 against Ngoc of Vietnam.
66kg Grainne Walsh is the only Ireland boxer in action on the opening day of the tournament on Friday. She contests against Vietnam’s Mai Mai Ngoc Hoang in Bout 3 of Ring B’s Evening Session – she should be in the ring at around 7.15pm local time, or 1.15pm Irish time.
The early stages of the tournament will not be streamed. The latter stages may be streamed.
Team
The maximum team size any federation may qualify for an Olympic Games is 13. Six Team Ireland boxers have already qualified: reigning Olympic lightweight champ, Kellie Harrington, and now double Olympians 57kg Michaela Walsh and Aoife O’Rourke. 57kg Jude Gallagher booked his ticket to Paris at the 1st Olympic World Qualifier. 63.5kg Dean Clancy and heavyweight, Jack Marley, qualified at the 2023 European Games.
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Co. Wicklow
54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family Golden Gloves BC, Belfast
The schedule of boxing for the 2nd Olympic Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand, has been published.
Boxers Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jennifer Lehane (54kg), Grainne Walsh (66kg) Sean Mari (51kg), Aidan Walsh (71kg), Kelyn Cassidy (80kg), and Martin McDonagh (92+kg) will vie to book their tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at this tournament, which is the last opportunity to qualify.
The maximum team size any federation may qualify for an Olympic Games is 13. Six Team Ireland boxers have already qualified: reigning Olympic lightweight champ, Kellie Harrington, and now double Olympians 57kg Michaela Walsh and Aoife O’Rourke. 57kg Jude Gallagher booked his ticket to Paris at the 1st Olympic World Qualifier. 63.5kg Dean Clancy and heavyweight, Jack Marley, qualified at the 2023 European Games.
The Paris Boxing Unit has confirmed that more boxers have entered the 2nd Olympic World Qualifier than its counterpart in Milan, to which 602 boxers were registered. As with the 1st Olympic World Qualifier in March, boxers will contest to quota; meaning, they will cease to box at a qualification bout. There will be no semi-finals or finals, and no medals bestowed. In5 of the weights Ireland is contesting in Bangkok (50kg, 54kg, 66kg, 51kg and 92+kg), 4 Paris quota places are available. In Men’s 71kg, 5 quota places are available, and there are 3 in Men’s 80kg – which means the de-facto bronze medalists will box off for the final quota place in that weight.
Schedule
The draw will take place on Thursday, May 23rd, at 11:30am, Irish time. The indicative schedule indicates that three Irish boxers will likely be in action on the opening day of the tournament: 54kg Jennifer Lehane, 71kg Aidan Walsh and 92+kg Martin McDonagh, unless they are accorded byes in Thursday’s draw.
2 boxers, 51kg Sean Mari and 80kg Kelyn Cassidy, are potentially up on Saturday.
Boxing begins on Friday, May 24th, at 7am, Irish time.
A total of 248 boxers will compete in boxing at Paris 2024, with 124 women and 124 men taking part. France, as host nation, have secured six automatic quotas for the Games – three for men and three for women, while there will also be nine Universality Places awarded, with five for women and four for men.
Team
50kg Daina Moorehouse, Enniskerry BC, Co. Wicklow
54kg Jennifer Lehane, DCU Boxing Club, Dublin
66kg Grainne Walsh, St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin
51kg Sean Mari, Monkstown BC, Dublin
71kg Aidan Walsh, Holy Family Golden Gloves BC, Belfast
