AmateurHeadline News

Historic win for Kellie Harrington- Dubliner secures Bronze

By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

Kellie Harrington is guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Dublin light-welter sensationally beat Kazakhstan’s Zarina Tsoloyeva this morning to book her place into the 64kg semi-final.

But Offaly’s Grainne Walsh had to settle for a top eight finish after she suffered a nose injury and her welterweight quarter-final with Kazakhstan’s Valentina Khalzova was stopped in the second round with the home boxer ahead 10-9 on all three cards from the first.

A brave display from Walsh and a fantastic performance to reach the quarter-finals on her World Elite debut.

Grainne Walsh

Grainne Walsh

Harrington, meantime, won all four rounds 10-9 to post an impressive 40-36 verdict across the board against Tsoloyeva, who comfortably beat Italy’s No. 1 seed Valentina Alberti in the previous round, on her home turf.

Harrington is now the first Irish female boxer besides Katie Taylor to medal at this level. The current Irish Elite champion thanked the coaches and staff in Astana after her win and her coach at home, Jimmy Halpin.

She’ll now meet Canada’s Sarah Kali in the last-four tomorrow.

Paul Meredith, Secretary of the Glasnevin BC, Harrington’s club in Dublin, said they were absolutely thrilled with today’s historic victory.

Meanwhile, Katie Taylor is between the ropes at approximately 2.30pm (Irish time).

If the Bray woman wins she will edge a stop close to her sixth successive World title and guarantee herself a place at Rio 2016 and at least bronze.

Taylor meets Mexico’s Victoria Torrest over four, two minute rounds in the lightweight class.

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) v Victoria Torres (Mexico)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) lost to Valentina Khalzova (Kazakhstan) TKOI2

May 25th S/Finals
64kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Sarah Kali (Canada)

25th S/Finals

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)

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

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