Kellie Harrington has called reaching the Olympic final the stuff of dreams, following her split decision victory over Thailand's Sudaporn Seesondee.
Despite the lack of consistency over the score cards, Harrington thankfully advanced to Sunday's final, where she will face Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil for a shot at Olympic gold.
She is the first Irish female boxer to have a shot at Olympic gold since Katie Taylor in London 2012.
By the end of the first round, Harrington was ahead on all three score cards, but by the second round, she was level on two, before eventually edging out 3-2 in the end.
“I’m a little bit lost for words", Harrignton said afterwards.
“It’s fantastic. 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 willpower, the determination, the focus, the dedication".
“I eat, sleep and breathe boxing. I’ve had heartbreak. I know what it is to fail and I know how hard it is to pick yourself back up after that", she added.
“This is why I am who I am, and why I am here today – because I’m not afraid of failure. I know what it is. I’m Kellie Harrington. I’m myself and I make my own pathway".
Thankfully, Harrignton emerged victorious despite the lack of consistency on the judges' score cards.
Having fought her in 2018, Harrignton was under no illusions as to how tough an opponent her Thailand counterpart would be.
“It was a close fight. I knew it was going to be a chess match. I fought her in 2018 in the World Championships final. It was tricky then", she said.
“It was a chess match then, and it was a chess match today. She didn’t want to give anything, I didn’t want to give anything, but eventually someone had to".
“It was patience that was key, I kept my patience and she didn’t. And that’s what won me the fight. The coaches were in the corner telling me, ‘stay patient’ and giving me tactics to throw and it worked".
“She’s very, very tricky. I wasn’t getting inside to get a bang because she hits hard with her back hand. She was throwing shots to the body but they were literally skimming my shirt.
“Not by a long shot but again, like I said, you need to do what you need to do and I won each round – just by winning each round".
Harrington also added, “I eat, sleep and breathe boxing. I’ve had heartbreak. I know what it is to fail and I know how hard 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 it is. I’m Kellie Harrington. I’m myself and I make my own pathway".
How sweet it is
Relive some moments from @Kelly64kg's semi final victory over Thailand's Sudaporn Seesondee #tokyo2020 #RTESport #boxing #olympics📺 Watch live - https://t.co/SCtsUOubuu
📱 Report – https://t.co/NegADMmoom https://t.co/roUC58Qdhm
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 5, 2021
