Ireland going for gold as Katie Taylor progresses onto Olympic final

Katie easily qualifies for Olympic Final in women's boxing lightweight division

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Taylor after defeating 19-year-old Tajikistan 17-9 at the ExCel Arena on Wednesday

Photo by Scott Heavey, BBC

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Ireland’s lightweight boxing champion Katie Taylor is through to tomorrow’s Olympic final after a stunning victory in London this afternoon.

The four time world champion, who is competing in the women’s lightweight 60kg category, gained victory over Tajikistan’s Mavuna Chorieva on Wednesday to progress onto the final against Russia's Sofia Ochigava.

A huge Irish crowd sang ‘The Fields of Athenry’ as 26-year-old Taylor defeated 19-year-old Tajikistan 17-9 at the ExCel Arena.

The gold medal favorite led 4-2 after the first round and followed with 3-1, 6-3 and 4-3 rounds to gain a 17-9 win.

“It’s a dream come true,” Taylor told RTE Sport afterwards. ”I just had to stay calm and composed. She was always going to be showboating and she’s a bit dirty as well.

“It was a great win. An Olympic final tomorrow, what can I say. God is great. He is my shield my strength. Glory to God. I have to go and be focused for tomorrow and forget about today. It’s a different fight altogether.”

Taylor added: “I haven’t been taking much notice of what’s going on around me. Everyone’s been great and at home I know I’ve a whole nation praying for me.”

Her father and coach Peter Taylor said: “An Olympic final, it’s absolutely unbelievable. We knew it would be a free-for-all but we had a plan.”

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