In the ring with Aoife O'Rourke: What it takes to train like an Irish Olympic boxer

Top female boxer Aoife O’Rourke’s winning punches are born from a strict workout regimen. She and coach Zaur Antia explain what it takes

Aoife O'Rourke during the Team Ireland Paris 2024 boxing team announcement at the Sport Ireland Institute in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

IT started with laughter rumbling around Castlerea boxing gym. Aoife O’Rourke was dropped to the door by reluctant parents in search of a place to keep fit for Gaelic football. That spark ignited a flare set to light up the Irish summer.

The 27-year-old is now a four-time European Champion and represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. She is a strong medal contender among the 10 Irish boxers headed for the Paris Games this summer. It is a record-equalling team size.