GOING FOR GOLD – Aoife O’Rourke beats Olympic medalist in Strandja semi
Tokyo Olympian and Paris-qualified boxer, 75kg Aoife O’Rourke, has won through to the finals of the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament, after an epic battle on Saturday.
The Roscommon native secured silver at the very least with victory over Qian Li of China and will now go for gold on Sunday’s finals day.
O’Rourke, who has found world-level form over the last number of years and is now a genuine Olympic medal hope, put in a high-tempo, high-power display to defeat the reigning Asian middleweight champion.
The Olympic Galway boxer defeated the Tokyo silver, Rio bronze, and World Championships gold silver and bronze medal winner 28:29; 27:30; 28:29; 28:29; 28:29.
The victory sets up a mouthwatering final with Thailand’s Baison Manikon, the reigning Asian U22 champion.
Jack Marley was also in semi-final action on Saturday but comes home with bronze after suffering defeat to old foe Vagkan Nanitzanian
The figher, who the Monkstown man defeated to secure a spot in Paris, caught the Team Ireland boxer with a left hook just over the ear in the final round. This resulted in the referee ending the bout by KO.
Team
50kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s BC, Mayo*
54kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
57kg Michaela Walsh, Holy Family GG, Belfast
66kg Lisa O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon
75kg Aoife O’Rourke, Castlerea BC, Roscommon
51kg Rickey Nesbitt, Holy Family BC, Drogheda
57kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway
63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim
71kg Eugene McKeever, Holy Family, Drogheda
92kg Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin
92+kg Martin McDonagh, Crumlin, Dublin.
Draws are available here
