Kellie Harrington is through to the last-eight of the AIBA World Elite Championships after stunning a home favourite in New Delhi, India today.
The Dublin lightweight beat India’s Sarita Devi on a 3-2 split decision.
But Grainne Walsh bowed out on a 3-2 split verdict to Argentina’s Noella Perez this afternoon.
A silver medallist at light-welter at the 2016 Worlds, Harrington dropped Devi with a sweet left hook in the third round to seal victory.
The European Elite medallist, who soaked up a few solid shots in frames one and two, impressed on the unofficial scorecards in the opening rounds with the vast majority of cleaner and accurate combinations and punches, particularly in the second round when she drove home a huge left.
The turning point arrived in the third when Harrington detonated a sweeping left to knock Devi off her feet. The ref – with live commentators absurdly claiming it was a slip – moved in to administer a count
Today’s reversal was the host nation’s first defeat in 10 bouts at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Harrington will now meet Canada’s Caroline Veyre with at least bronze up for grabs on Tuesday.
Walsh slugged it out with Perez over three close rounds, the Irish welter closing down the distance against her taller opponent to deliver solid shots throughout the 69kg clash.
Walsh clipped the Argentine, who worked hard in all three frames, with a sweeping left coming out of a clinch in the third, the one clear scoring shot of the frame. But the judges opted for Perez.
New Delhi is five and a half hours ahead of Ireland.
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) v Namiki Tukimi (Japan)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Alessia Mesiano (Italy)
64kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Ani Hovsepyan (Armenia)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Lauren Price (Wales)
November 20
Q/Final
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Caroline Veyre (Canada)
Irish squad
51kg Ceire Smith (Virginia)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s)
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