Boxing to Greatness
7th August 2024
Team Ireland’s boxing super star Kellie Harrington won Olympic GOLD (60kg Lightweight) beating China’s Wenlu Yang 4-1 in Paris last night, to retain the Olympic title she won in Tokyo.
Ireland’s Kellie Harrington was the first boxing champion crowned at Paris 2024, in the purpose built ring at the iconic Roland Garris stadium, with an audience of 15,000 cheering her on. Harrington already made history in Paris last Wednesday by becoming the first Irish woman ever to win medals at two Olympic Games.
Last night, 34-year-old Kellie Harrington of Portland Row in Dublin became the first Irish woman ever to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
By being the first Irish boxer ever to contest, and win, back-to-back Olympic finals Kellie Harrington of St. Mary’s BC in Tallaght became the most successful Irish boxer in our 100 year history at the Olympic Games.
Harrington’s Paris 2024 GOLD is the 19th Irish Olympic medal won in the sport of boxing.
Afterwards an overjoyed Harrington spoke of what it meant:
“It just gives hope. All these young kids all these teenagers, it gives hope to them, it gives hope to the people of Ireland, that’s what it means, but this one was for me.
On the plan Harrington said it was to: “just be happy – happy, smile and enjoy it. It’s the last hurrah – I’m done, I’ve always said that I want to retire a champion – that’s it!”
Only three other Irish athletes have won back-to-back Olympics gold medals; Hammer thrower Dr. Pat O’Callaghan was the very first to do it in 1928 and 1932, with rowers Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan repeating the feat with their 2020 win, and by becoming Olympic champions in Paris. Kellie Harrington now joins that exclusive club.
Source: Irish Athletic Boxing Association
Image source: Team Ireland
