Team Ireland has concluded it’s 12 day training camp in Hua Hin, in preparation for the 2nd Olympic World Qualifier in Bangkok.
The camp, which took place 3 hours south of the Thai capital, included Germany, India, USA, Cuba, GB, Mongolia, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway and New Zealand
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 depart for Bangkok on May 21st.
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 a result, boxing has been brought forward, to begin on May 24th. 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. In 4 of the weights Ireland is contesting in Bangkok, 4 Paris quota places are available. In Men’s 71kg, 5 quota places are available, and there are 3 in Men’s 80kg. Sport Entries Checks of all teams will be conducted across May 21st and 22nd. The draw will take place at 11am, Irish time, on May 23rd. The opening session of the tournament, on May 24th, will begin at 5am, Irish time. The first 7 days of the 1st Olympic World Qualifier in Busto Arsizio, Milan, were not live-streamed. It is not clear if this tournament will be live-streamed in full.
Preparations for this team have included a multi-nation training camp in Assisi, Italy, the 1st Olympic World Qualifier in Milan, a dual-nations training camp and international with Ukraine in Castlerea.
High Performance Director, Tricia Heberle, says “Hua Hin has been an exceptional preparation base for Ireland, as we aim to expand the team contesting Paris 2024. Facilities and training partners have been excellent, and boxers have been additionally supported by physiotherapist Rob Tuomey, and Sport Ireland Sports Scientists, S&C Specialist John Clearly, Nutritionist Sharon Madigan and Physiologist, Paula Fitzpatrick.
Their commitment to training and self-improvement has been strongly led by Head Coach Zauri Antia and ably supported by Damian Kennedy, Eoin Pluck, James Doyle and Lynne McEnery. The contribution of Club coaches also needs to be recognized, as does the vital role that coaches from the High Performance Paris Pool Coach programme have played. Without these coaches working cooperatively for the betterment of their athletes, we would not feel as well-prepared heading into such an important Olympic qualifier event.”
“We have set a target of 8 qualifications for the Paris Olympic Games and with 6 of these already achieved at the 2023 European Games and 1st Olympic World Qualifier, we are on track. It is not an easy task but key to achieving this is the world-class daily training environment at the Sport Ireland Institute that we are so fortunate to have.”
High Performance Coach, Damian Kennedy, says “Our boxers are in a great place – focused, technically and tactically prepared. These are experienced athletes, and they know what’s ahead of them and what’s at stake. I’m confident in each and every one of their abilities, and morale is high. We’re all looking forward to that first bell in Bangkok”
High Performance Head Coach Zauri Antia says “This is an excellent team, which knows its business. They have all improved and continued to build their skill and their fitness.
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.
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
80kg Kelyn Cassidy, Saviour’s Crystal, Waterford.
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Galway Boxing Club.