Kellie Harrington WITH Irish coaches Zaur Antia and Eddie Bolger

Dublin light-welter Kellie Harrington is through to the AIBA World Elite 64kg final after producing a stunning performance in Astana, Kazakhstan today.

The Irish champion dominated Canada’s Sara Kali to score a unanimous decision in an inspirational display over four, two minutes rounds.

Harrington is now guaranteed at least a silver medal in Central Asia after what Olympic champion Michael Carruth described as a “master class” on RTE.

She’ll will meet China’s Yang Wenlu in Friday’s final. Wenlu recorded a comfortable win over Australia’s Skye Nicolson today.

The Dubliner edged a tentative first round versus Montreal-native Kali, but, after following her corner’s instructions to move in closer, it quickly became obvious that there was only going to be one winner, with Harrington detonating some massive shots, particularly right hooks.

The Glasnevin BC ace is now the fifth Irish boxer after Katie Taylor, Michael Conlan, Joe Ward and Jason Quigley to reach an AIBA World Elite decider.

Taylor will be in semi-final action at approximately 2.30pm (Irish time) today versus France’s Estelle Mosselly.

The Bray woman is aiming to edge a step closer to an historic sixth successive title. Taylor qualified, by virtue of reaching the last- four, for Rio 2016 in Astana this week.

Harrington’s 64kg class is not an Olympic weight.

Female boxing is, unfairly, restricted to three weights – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight – at the Olympics.

On fire Harrington has won four fights so far in Astana, all on unanimous decisions. A fifth victory tomorrow will see her join Taylor and Conlan as one of three Irish boxers to deliver AIBA World Elite gold.

“She was absolutely brilliant today, absolutely brilliant. We’re thrilled with the win and we have Katie in action later and hopefully we will have two in the final,” said Irish team manager Anna Moore.

Friday’s finals begin at 10am (Irish time), according to the official schedule. Team Ireland are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport at 9.40am on Saturday morning.

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) v Estelle Mossely (France)
60kg Mira Potkonen (Finland) v Anastasia Beliakova (Russia)

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, at least)

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

Ellite schoolboys squad training has now finished up for all Boy 2/3 boxers.

Training will resume following the Junior Cadet Championships when all the new champions will commence training in preparation for the European Schoolboys Championships in Croatia.

Kellie Harrington and Irish coaches Zaur Antia and Eddie Bolger in Astana.

An Irishwoman will step into the ring for the first time for a light-welterweight semi-final at an AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan today.

Dublin light-welter Kellie Harrington meets Canada’s Sara Kali in the last-four of the tournament. Both women clash over four,two minute rounds looking to upgrade their guaranteed bronze medals to at least silver.

Harrington, a multiple Irish Elite champion and the first Irish female fighter besides Katie Taylor to medal at this level, has had a magnificent tournament so far, winning three fights with style and panache.

If her hand is raised in victory again this morning (Irish time) she’ll become the fifth Irish boxer after Jason Quigley (2013), Michael Conlan (2015), Joe Ward (2015), and Taylor (2006/08/10/12/14) to reach an AIBA World Elite final.

Katie Taylor and Irish head coach Zaur Antia in Astana

Taylor, meanwhile, will be aiming to edge a step closer to an historic sixth title. The Bray woman qualified for Rio 2016 by virtue of reaching the last four in Astana in one of the three Olympic weights – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight – for women.

She meets French lightweight Estelle Mosselly, an opponent she has beaten three times in since 2013, for a place in the 60kg decider.

Harrington is in action in the 5th bout in the first session which begins at 10am (Irish time) and Taylor the fifth bout on the second session which begins at 2pm (Irish time).

“Both girls are in top form and looking forward to their semi-finals. They are taking a lot of confidence from their excellent performances so far,” said Irish team manager Anna Moore.

Click here for semi-final program.The finals will be held Friday.

Team Ireland are due to arrive home at 9.40am on Saturday morning through 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) v Estelle Mossely (France)
60kg Mira Potkonen (Finland) v Anastasia Beliakova (Russia)

64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Sara Kali (Canada)
64kg Yang Wenlu (China) v Skye Nicolson (Australia)

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, at least)

64kg Kellie Harrington (Glasnevin) (Bronze, 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