Conor McGregor has added his voice to the wave of enthusiasm greeting Ireland’s Kellie Harrington after she won Ireland’s third-ever Olympic gold medal in boxing in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Harrington, 33, showed her class by dethroning the reigning world champion Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil in a dominant display in Tokyo, overcoming an aggressive opening by her opponent to storm ahead as the fight reached its latter stages.
‘And the winner, by unanimous decision….’
How. Sweet. It. Is.#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport #boxing
📺 Watch live – https://t.co/IpdMKF55tD
📱 Updates – https://t.co/huAtW8EXqg pic.twitter.com/XQBvLsw479
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2021
🥇 for @kelly64kg as the 🇮🇪 is raised and Amhrán na bhFiann plays out at Kokugikan Arena#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport #boxing
📺 Watch live – https://t.co/IpdMKF55tD
📱 Updates – https://t.co/huAtW8EXqg pic.twitter.com/zwq5vr1tVQ
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2021
Harrington was selected as the winner by all five of the ringside judges, and follows in the footsteps of both Michael Carruth and Katie Taylor in winning an Olympic gold medal for Ireland in boxing. Furthermore, it marks the first time that Ireland has won gold medal in two different events at the Olympics following the success of rowing duo Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan who took gold in the men’s lightweight double sculls.
Several prominent Irish public figures have issued messages of praise to Harrington following her success, including both Katie Taylor and Michael Carruth, while Irish president Michael D. Higgins was also quick to point out his — and Ireland’s — pride at their latest sporting heroine.
God bless you Kelly Harrington. What a journey! In the background then emerged forward, and then went and done absolutely everything you said you where going to do. Olympic Gold medal champion! The condition you are in is incredible. Real work ethic. Congratulations Kelly 🙏🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/4TSxkeo6ol
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 8, 2021
Another such person was Conor McGregor, who praised Harrington’s outstanding performance in the Japanese capital.
“God bless you Kellie Harrington,” wrote McGregor. “What a journey! In the background then emerged forward, and then went and done absolutely everything you said you where going to do. Olympic Gold medal champion! The condition you are in is incredible. Real work ethic. Congratulations Kellie.”
