Reflecting back eight years, a considerable period in any field but even more so in the arduous realm of boxing, you recall the start of Kellie Harrington’s renowned career. At that time, she was awarded with her inaugural Sportswoman of the Year monthly title, a hint of the remarkable path that lay ahead.
Harrington confessed she considered herself “someone of no significance” when she embarked on her World Championships journey in Kazakhstan. Her name was unfamiliar to many outside the tight-knit circle of Irish boxing. Taking the journey with limited experience on the global stage, it was a true adventure into unknown territory. Yet, against the odds, she advanced unhindered, defeating competitors from Lithuania, Germany, the local favourite, and Canada, carving her way to the final. However, China’s reigning Asian champion, Wenlu Yang clutched the victory.
After hauling home her silver medal, Harrington admitted, “Transforming from being unrecognised to reaching a final, I’m contented.” Her accomplishments on that stage might have propelled her to recognise her latent talent, especially considering the doubts she cast on her potential capability.
In 2016, a breakthrough success led to the needed financial assistance from Sport Ireland, which undoubtedly alleviated the pressure of harmonising her boxing career with dual employment. “This will bolster my motivation to change the medal’s hue,” she declared, revealing her aspiration to pursue the elusive gold.
Living up to her promise, two years later she clinched the global title in New Delhi. Her story since then is common knowledge, a count of two highly-coveted Olympic gold medals in hand.
Despite not having to secure victory in her second match to ensure her position on our 2024 honour roll, Kellie Harrington etched her name in the annals of Irish sports history. This came to pass when she trounced Colombia’s Angie Valdes Pana in her quarter-final match, held on the last day of July, in a unanimous decision. In doing so, Harrington became the first female and the fourth Irish athlete to clinch medals in two separate Olympic Games.
Joining her in this exclusive group were historical figures such as Pat O’Callaghan (1928 and 1932), the pugilist Paddy Barnes (2008 and 2012), and the oarsman Paul O’Donovan (2016 and 2021). Fintan McCarthy came into the limelight a couple of days later by joining forces with O’Donovan to bring home additional rowing gold.
Upon reaching the final, Harrington managed to change her silver medal into gold once again by defeating Wenlu Yang. Her 2016 match with Yang had nearly faded from her memory due to her busy schedule over the following years. However, in a remarkable turn of events on a memorable night at Roland Garros, with a large part of the crowd cheerleading Harrington, she overturned the previous result from eight years prior to attain gold again.
Reaching the Olympics is quite a hurdle, let alone standing on a podium, Harrington acknowledges. Looking up at her nation’s flag as it soars aloft the podium is precious, she comments, and she realises that it’s a rare luxury few experience, a path she has walked twice now.
She’s aware when to quit, and is elated that she has decided to call it quits her way, as a two-time Olympic champion. One thing is certain, Kellie Harrington is truly a remarkable figure.
*Those concerned we’ve bypassed Mona McSharry’s superb 100m breaststroke bronze medal, rest assured that she secured her place on our 2024 honour roll after her exceptional performances in February. Each sportswoman can only clinch one monthly award per year, but their achievements throughout the year are incorporated when determining the overall winner. Consequently, McSharry’s Olympic medal will be recognised alongside her 2024 achievements.
Prior champions each month include: Fionnuala McCormack in Athletics for December, Lucy Mulhall from Rugby in January, Mona McSharry in February’s Swimming, Rachael Blackmore in Horse racing for March, Róisín Ní Riain from Swimming in April, Rhasidat Adeleke for May’s Athletics, and June’s victor in Athletics was Ciara Mageean.