Sublime opener to Olympics for St Mary’s boxer Harrington

ST MARY’S Boxing Club star Kellie Harrington produced a performance of sheer class to book her place in the last eight of the lightweight division at the Tokyo Olympic Games, comfortably seeing off Italy’s Rebecca Nicoli.

The 2018 World Championship gold medallist had received a bye through to the Last 16 and quickly found her range in this morning’s contest, moving effortlessly and catching Nicoli whenever her opponent moved in.

It was no surprise to see the Dubliner take that round on all five judges’ cards and she continued on to do it again in the second despite Nicoli having a little more success with her forays.

Harrington’s ability to switch styles to meet whatever type of offence the Italian attempted proved very effective and she served up a sublime demonstration of counter-punching in the third as Nicoli attempted to step up the intensity in an effort to find a way back.

It was to prove futile for the Italian as Harrington comfortably saw out the third round and earned a unanimous 5-0 decision to advance.

Harrington, who has been boxing out of St Mary’s since 2016, told RTE after her fight “I’ve been a long time out here in Japan at this stage and I’m just glad to get it underway.

“I was a bit anxious coming in. I was the last person to box really, but it’s been great and the support from the rest of the team has been amazing.

“I’m fit and I’m sharp and I have the coaches there and my own club coach Noel Burke at home as well keeping me focused.

“The first one is always the hardest I feel. Roll on Tuesday when I’ll be fighting for myself, fighting for my own honour. What will be, will be.

“If I get a medal, that will be great, but if I don’t I’ll give it everything. As long as I step out of the ring knowing that I’ve left everything in there, I’ll be happy” she insisted.