Kellie Harrington wrote herself into the history books winning women’s lightweight Olympic gold against Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil.
“Relieved, totally relieved. I’m just glad that it’s over!” declared Harrington afterwards. “To have the support of a nation backing you is just, it’s actually hard to believe, I actually feel the nation has been behind me”.
Harrington came into the bout having never met the Brazilian before. Ferreira proved herself as a force to be reckoned with in Tokyo, defeating all who came before her in style.
The Brazilian edged the opening round scorecard, but Harrington came out in force to win rounds two and three.
Two judges scored all three rounds in favour of Harrington (30-27) while three scored (29-28) in favour of the underdog in the second and third rounds.
“I knew it was 3-2 after the first round,” explained Harrington. “I just went back out and kept control and just did what I could do.
“If I had gone out and tried to put the pressure on and rushing, then that’s her game. I just stuck to my plan”.
“Her game is the counter, because she’s strong” added Harrinton. ”She’s small and she’s really, really good at what she does.
“So I just stuck to my game and stuck to what John and Zaur had planned, and it worked. I don’t even know the score in the second round, and the third. It was good but I’m glad it’s over.”
Holding the Olympic gold medal, Harrngton added: “I don’t know what it means, to be honest. It hasn’t sunk in yet, I’ve just won a fight, like one fight”.
“Each fight is one fight. I’m at a fight, I’m at a tournament”.
“This won’t sink in until I get home, until I see me family and to be honest with you, coming out here, I knew I was going to be away for six weeks and I had said to John; ‘after three weeks, if I want to go home can I go home? I don’t know how I’m going to be able to perform if I’m homesick’”.
“John was just like ‘Kellie, relax. You won’t be homesick,” “And I wasn’t homesick! The team has been fantastic. The boxing team has rallied around me and we’ve rallied around each other”.
“Brendan Irvine has been a leader out and out. My roommates, the whole team has been fantastic and a great unit and I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better team to be here with.
“We all push each in so many different ways and it’s just been fantastic. I’m glad to be here and I’m glad to have them here on this journey with me.”
