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.

Ceire Smith, Michaela Walsh, Amy Broadhurst and Aoife O’Rourke box for places in the last eight tomorrow. 

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

 

Kurt Walker upgraded his bronze medal to at least silver at the EU Elite Men’s Championships in Valladolid, Spain this afternoon.

But Galway welter Kieran Molloy had to settle for bronze after a fiery three rounds with England’s European Elite finalist Pat McCormack.

Antrim bantam Walker beat Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyun on a unanimous decision after claiming a 29-28 verdict across the board after winning rounds one and three.

He’ll now meet England current European Elite champion Peter McGrail in Sunday’s final.

Molloy and McCormack went at each other hammer and thongs for most of the three rounds early this evening with each regularly finding the target with backhands.

Both men landed big shots simultaneously in the second frame, but it was Molloy, shaking his head at the call, who took a count.

The third round was equally as close, McCormack starting well, Molloy finishing strong, but it was the European silver medallist that got the decision.

Massive performance from the Irish champion against an equally talented opponent.

 

 

 

EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain

November 9

Prelims (Last 16)

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4

November 10

Prelims (last 16)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1

November 11th

Prelims (last 16)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0

November 12

Prelims (last 16)

75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stepan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0

November 13

Q/Finals

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galogot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy) 3-1

November 14

Q/Finals

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Toni Filipi (Croatia) 0-5

November 15

Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Carl Fail (England) RSCI2

November 17

S/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Artyush Gomtsyun (Georgia) 5-0
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) lost to Pat McCormack (England) 0-5

November 18

Final

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Peter McGrail (England)

Irish squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)

56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC) (Silver, at least)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC) (Bronze)

75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)

91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)

91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC) Cpt

Team Manager: Stephen Molloy

Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck

Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey

Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor

Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin

Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin- R&JKurt Walker upgraded his bronze medal to at least silver at the EU Elite Championships in Valladolid, Spain this afternoon.

The Antrim bantam beat Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyun on a unanimous decisionin the 56kg semi-final.

Walker claimed a 29-28 verdict across the board after winning rounds one and three.

He’ll now meet England current European Elite champion Peter McGrail in Sunday’s final.

Kieran Molloy is in semi-final action at approximately 6.30pm today versus England.

EU Elite Championships Valladolid, Spain

November 9

Prelims (Last 16)

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Rosenov Banbakov (Bulgaria) 1-4
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Stefan Ivanov (Bulgaria) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Frazer Clarke (England) 1-4

November 10

Prelims (last 16)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Ruben Veciunoa (Belgium) 5-0
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) 4-1

November 11th

Prelims (last 16)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Petr Novak (Czech Republic) 5-0

November 12

Prelims (last 16)

75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Stepan Nikitin (Germany) 5-0

November 13

Q/Finals

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Dmitry Galogot (Moldova) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Vincenzo Arecchiai (Italy) 3-1

November 14

Q/Finals

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) lost to Toni Filipi (Croatia) 0-5

November 15

Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Jaroslav Iwanow (Poland) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Carl Fail (England) RSCI2

November 17

S/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Artyush Gomtsyun (Georgia) 5-0
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) V Pat McCormack (England)

November 18

Final

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Peter McGrail (England)

Irish squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard BC)

56kg Kurt Walker (Canal BC) (Silver, at least)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise BC)

69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard BC) (Bronze, at least)

75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise BC)

91kg Kirill Afanasev (Smithfield BC)

91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Clonmel BC) Cpt

Team Manager: Stephen Molloy

Coaches: John Conlan & Eoin Pluck

Physiotherapist: Seamus Caffrey

Team Doctor: Jim Clover- Team Doctor

Sports Physiologist: Damian Martin

Referee & Judge: Jim Murrin- R&J

 

 

Ireland remains unbeaten after five bouts at the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships in New Delhi.

Ceire Smith, Michaela Walsh, Aoife O’Rourke and Amy Broadhurst won their last 32 bouts this afternoon. with Broadhurst and O’Rourke progressing after big performances on their debuts at this level.

Smith, pictured above having her hand raised in victory today, and Roscommon middleweight O’Rourke made it three wins from three – Kellie Harrington won on Friday – this morning.

Smith saw off Bulgaria’s European Elite bronze medalist Gabriela Dimitrova on a 3-2 split – 30-27,30-27,29-28 – 27-30,28-29 – after three close rounds in the flyweight class.

O’Rourke scored a landslide 30-25,30-25,30-26,30-27,30-25 win over Ya Chu Yang of Taipei.

Yang took three standing counts in the second and third rounds with O’Rourke completely dominating.

Walsh and Broadhurst rounded off a perfect day on 4-1 split decisions over Romania’s Lacramiora Perijoc and Russia’s Ekaterina Dynnik in the feather and light-welter classes.

Harrington and Grainne Walsh are in last 16 action tomorrow versus India and Argentina.

.

(Image courtesy of Tibor Kincses)

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) v Sarita Devi (India)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Noella Perez (Argentina)

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 Erike Sanche (Argentina) or Ani Hovsepyan (Armenia)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Lauren Price (Wales)

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

 

 

 

Cavan flyweight Ceire Smith, pictured above having her hand raised in victory today, and Roscommon middleweight Aoife O’Rourke made it three wins from three for Ireland at the World Women’s Championships in New Delhi, India this morning.

 

Smith saw off Bulgaria’s European Elite bronze medalist Gabriela Dimitrova on a 3-2 split – 30-27,30-27,29-28 – 27-30,28-29 –  after three close rounds in the flyweight class.

 

And O’Rourke, who was making her World Elite debut at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, scored a landslide 30-25,30-25,30-26,30-27,30-25 win over Ya Chu Yang of Taipei.

 

Yang took three standing counts in the second and third rounds with O’Rourke dominating.

 

Michaela Walsh and Amy Broadhurst are in action in the 2nd session which begins at 12.30pm (Irish time).

 

Meanwhile, Michaela Walsh made if four on the bounce on a 4-1 split decision over Romania’s Lacramiora Perijoc.

The Belfast feather started superbly and dominated the first minute of the 57kg clash with Perijoc struggling to get inside Walsh’s longer reach. The second and third frames, with Perijoc aggressively working hard on the inside at every opportunity, were tight, but Walsh’s superior accuracy and cleaner work off both hands saw her deservedly through to the last 16 versus Italy.

(Image courtesy of Tibor Kincses)

 

 

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) v Ekaterina Dynnik (Russia)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) beat Ya Chu Yang (Taipei) 5-0

November 18

Last 16

60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Sarita Devi (India)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Noella Perez (Argentina)

November 19

Last 16

51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Namiki Tukimi (Japan)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Alessia Mesiano (Italy)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Lauren Price (Wales)

 

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