Irish boxing stars Amy Broadhurst, Kellie Harrington and Jennifer Lehane's successful fights at the European Games in Poland have left them one win away from booking their tickets to Paris Games 2024.
World Champion Amy Broadhurst coasted into the quarter-finals yesterday after securing a unanimous decision victory against Latvian opponent Beatrise Rozentale in the welterweight (66kg) division.
Speaking after the fight Broadhurst said, “I was probably more dominant than I was expecting, to be honest. I thought she was going to come out and just run at me because I sparred her in May and she's a tough girl; there’s no quitting in her. It was a good performance and I'm happy with how I performed over the three rounds and I done what the coaches told me to do and, and that's all they ask for.”
“Once you get in and you try your best and you do what you're told, then the rest will take care of itself. You put your trust into these coaches because they're world class and this is the results you get.You get wins and you get dominant wins as well."
2 wins down, one more to go for Olympic qualification and a bronze medal Atleast! pic.twitter.com/7UxJhhWmpw
— Amy Broadhurst (@amybroadhurst12) June 27, 2023
Kellie Harrington and Jennifer Lehane have also progressed to the quarter-finals at the European Games.
Lehane had a tough battle against Antonia Filippa Giannakopoulou from Greece in the 54kg division, but managed to recover and win by a unanimous decision. The Ashbourne fighter is now just one win away from securing her place at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
"We had a keyword going into the fight, which was space, so my coaches were putting that back into my head, not get caught up in there because she does like to get in and get rough. So, yeah, I'm not too sure if I pulled it off that much, but I did come out, I came out on top, so I got the job done," Lehane told RTE.
Hands up if you've got a place in the quarterfinals!!!
Two fights down from #TeamIreland boxers, and four to go, for a busy day in Nowy Targ Arena.
The quarterfinals are on the 28th of June, when both Jennifer Lehane and Kellie Harrington will fight for an Olympic spot.… pic.twitter.com/NfLIxYi1fe— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) June 26, 2023
Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington went into the European Games as a strong competitor in the 60kg division. She had a successful fight yesterday against Elida Kocharyan from Armenia, with all five judges giving the second and final round to Harrington.
The Dubliner will face Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson in the quarter-final showdown.
"It didn't feel so comfortable to be honest, I was quite nervous going in," said Harrington after the fight. "I had seen that girl back in October in the Europeans in Montenegro, and I thought she was quite special, and she is special; she is one to watch, so it was a really good fight. I had the tactics spot on, so happy enough I move forward to the next one.
"I haven’t thought too far ahead, I’m just here to enjoy myself, to be honest, I haven’t really been enjoying it for a while. I have got the hunger back in the last few camps we have had, I’ve been feeling the joy and feeling the love again. Whatever happens here happens, and whatever doesn’t happen, doesn’t."
