Kellie Harrington meets China’s Yang Wenlu for light-welter gold at the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday.
Both women won their semi-finals convincingly today, Harrington beating Canada’s Sara Kali on a unanimous decision.
The Harrington versus Wenlu bout is the 6th contest on a card which begins at 10am (Irish time). Click here for program.
Ten finals will be decided on Friday. Harrington has won four fights to reach the gold medal match.The Dubliner is guaranteed at least silver.
Katie Taylor, pictured below, red, lost her semi-final to France’s Estelle Mosselly today on a split decision.The Bray woman will be taking home bronze from Astana and a ticket for the Rio Olympics.
Taylor has now claimed a record five gold medals and one bronze in succession from the last six World Women’s Elite Championships.
The Wicklow lightweight qualified for Rio 2016 by virtue of reaching the last four in Astana.
The 9th edition of the tournament in Astana is the final Olympic qualifier for women in the three Olympic weights of flyweight, lightweight and middleweight for females.
Thirty three of the thirty six Olympic places for women – there’s 12 in each class – have now been claimed. The final three berths per weight will be distributed through the Tripartite Commission (invitation places) in the coming weeks.
Team Ireland are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport at 9.40am on Saturday morning.Those attending Saturday’s homecoming may wish to recall that Irish women’s boxing is proudly sponsored by QuickPark of Dublin Airport.
AIBA World Women’s Championships Astana, Kazakhstan
May 19th (Last 64)
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) lost to Ingrit Valencia (Colombia) 0-2
May 20th (Last 32)
54kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) lost to Diletta Cipallane (Italy) 0-3
57kg Moira McElligot (Ireland) lost to Sati Burcu (Turkey) 1-2
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Austeja Auciute (Lithuania) 3-0
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) lost to Khadija Mardi (Morocco) 0-3
May 21st (Last 32)
48kg Donna Barr (Ireland) lost to Kim Klavel (Canada) 0-3
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Agnes Alexiusson (Sweden) 3-0
May 22nd (Last 16)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) beat Hanna Solecka (Poland) 3-0
May 23rd (last 16)
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Dayana Sanchez (Argentina) 3-0
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Cindy Rogge (Germany) 3-0
May 24th Q/Finals
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Zarina Tsoloyeva (Kazakhstan) 3-0
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Victoria Torres (Mexico) 3-0
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) lost to Valentina Khalzova (Kazakhstan) TKOI2
May 26th S/Finals
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) lost to Estelle Mossely (France) 1-2
60kg Mira Potkonen (Finland) lost to Anastasia Beliakova (Russia) 0-3
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) beat Sara Kali (Canada) 3-0
64kg Yang Wenlu (China) beat Skye Nicolson (Australia) 3-0
May 27th
Final
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Yang Wenlu (China)
Irish squad
48kg Donna Barr (Twin Towns)
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
54kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)
57kg Moira McElligot (St Michael’s Athy)
60kg Katie Taylor (Bray) (Bronze)
64kg Kellie Harrington (Glasnevin) (Silver, at least)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)
75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
Team manager: Anna Moore
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, Gerry Storey, Pat McDonagh
Physio: Molly Ryan