Irish boxer Kellie Harrington is fighting for an Olympic gold medal after her lightweight semi-final win.
The Dublin native beat Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee in the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo this morning, securing at least a silver medal.
The 31-year-old will go up against Brazilian fighter Beatriz Ferreira this weekend in the hopes of taking home the gold medal, with the fight kicking off on Sunday at 6am Irish time.
View this post on Instagram
Following her semi-final win, Kellie said: “I’m a little bit lost for words. I’m speechless. I don’t really know how I feel.”
Reacting to being guaranteed an Olympic silver medal, she added: “It is fantastic to be an Olympic silver medallist. That’s the stuff that people dream about. Many tried to get there, many don’t have what it takes to succeed because they don’t have the will power, the determination, the focus, the dedication.”
“I’ve had heartbreak. I know what it is to fail and I know what it is to pick yourself back up after that. This is why I am who I am, and why I am here today – because I’m not afraid of failure. I know what is is. I’m Kellie Harrington. I’m myself and I make my own pathway.”
View this post on Instagram
Kellie is following in the footsteps of seven other Irish boxing champions who have contested Olympic finals – John McNally (1952), Fred Tiedt (1956), Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough (1992), Kenneth Egan (2008), John Joe Nevin and Katie Taylor (2012).
Check out some of the reactions to Kellie’s win below:
YESSSSSS KELLIE!!!!!! Kellie Harrington will fight for GOLD at the Olympics!!!!
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/AnthonyICHH/status/1423153200333561858
Kellie Harrington said before that the Olympics didn’t become a dream of her’s until 2016 when she got first medal at Worlds.
Now an Olympic final on Sunday morning.
What an achievement. pic.twitter.com/8LMVhlZN7k— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) August 5, 2021
You certainly are lifting the nation Kellie Harrington. Amazing boxer. Amazing person. Keep smiling, keep fighting and keep going. Hakuna Matata 🥊 🌟❤️
— Ger Treacy (@ImGerTreacy) August 5, 2021
Dublin's north inner city is one of the most neglected and damaged parts of Ireland – and that arsehole in Dubai contributed to a lot of the damage.
It needs heroes and role models. It has one of the best in Kellie Harrington – the real face of a sport full of decent people here. pic.twitter.com/91Kwct4f1W— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) August 3, 2021
🇮🇪🥊 Kellie Harrington will box for gold. Amazing stuff!
Ireland could now win gold medals with multiple athletes at an #Olympics for the first time since 1932.
— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) August 5, 2021
Amazing achievement from Kellie Harrington. On to get gold now #OlympicGames #Tokyo2020
— Shane Rafferty (@HashTagRafferty) August 5, 2021
