Katie lifts gold – and hearts of a nation
Katie Taylor yesterday made history by becoming the first Irish woman to win boxing gold at the Olympic Games following a thrilling, and at times nail-biting, 10-8 victory over Russian Sofya Ochigava at the ExCel Arena.
The most decorated and dominant female fighter to have laced up gloves is already planning where the prized possession is about to reside.
“We have a little cabinet in the sitting room where we put the European and the World Championship medals. It will go in the middle of all of them. Or maybe we will get a safe,” said Katie as she smiled and handled media questions with the same impressiveness she had displayed in the ring.
“I’ve trained so hard since I was 10 or 11. This is a dream I’ve always had. I have great people around me and a great family around me.
“Most importantly, I serve an amazing God and without him I wouldn’t be here with this gold medal around my neck.”
Earlier in the day, Katie’s mother Bridget went to the Athletes’ Village and helped prepare her daughter for the fight of her life.
“She was her usual self. She is quiet before a fight and didn’t say too much. I just leave her and let her get in the zone. I prayed with her before she went out,” Bridget said.
“I went into her bathroom, did her hair as I normally do and told her she was going to be stunning today. And I believe she was. I am just so happy for her now.”
Katie was cheered into the ring by a 10,000-strong crowd with a deafening wave of noise.
The pair were tied 2-2 after the first round before the Russian edged the second to lead 4-3. But then Katie unleashed her fists to take a 7-5 lead after the third round and hold out to win the bout 10-8.
They had to wait for what seemed like an age for the result. Even Katie was sweating on the outcome.
“It was a huge relief because I didn’t know what way the decision went in the end. There was a big delay so I thought, it had gone to countback.
“This is what I have always dreamed of. This is better than all my wildest dreams to be sitting here as an Olympic champion and a European and World Champion.”
But her father and coach, Pete, had no such fears. “When the contest was going on, I was just trying to detach myself from being a father and just be a coach and be as professional as I could be.
“I think the final was the most relaxed we’ve been throughout the competition. I just knew it was Katie’s destiny to be Olympic champion.”
Katie also confirmed she has no plans to quit boxing.
“My father wants me to stop boxing but I have no intention of doing that. I have got another 10 years in me. I am definitely going to continue boxing. I will take a few weeks off but then I will continue; whether I turn professional or stay amateur. I don’t know yet.
“I will sit down and talk about that and make the decision over the next few weeks.”
And we learned that even heroes have heroes.
Katie shared the stage in the media interviews with Sonia O’Sullivan, the last Irish woman to claim an Olympic medal. Katie revealed that the Corkwoman’s heroics in Sydney 12 years ago made a lasting impression on her.
“It is crazy because when I was growing up, Sonia O’Sullivan was my hero and she is here as chef de mission. I just thought this whole Olympics was made for me because of that. She is the greatest athlete the country has ever had and she is here supporting me and has been unbelievable all week. She is so approachable and so easy to talk to. I learned so much from her as an athlete and the character she has shown. She was my hero growing up.”
Her father recalled: “In the school report, it said that ‘Katie Taylor is going to be the next Sonia O’Sullivan’.” Alongside him his daughter giggled: “But I wasn’t that good a runner so I had to change sports.”
Aren’t we lucky she did?
It was history in the making — an historic day for boxing and for the whole Olympic movement as the first three gold medals in women’s boxing were decided — and a dream realised for Ireland’s Katie Taylor, the driving force to have the discipline added to the Olympic programme.
Thousands are set to line Bray’s seafront to welcome Katie Taylor home on Monday.
The local town council has organised an open-top bus parade and fireworks display.
The boxer’s hometown has held a series of events to mark each of her fights, setting up big screens at the seafront, Main St, and at Ballywaltrim for the final yesterday.
TODAY
* Paddy Barnes fights Shiming Zou of China: 1.30pm.
* John Joe Nevin, right, faces Cuban Lázaro Álvarez Estrada: 2pm.
* Michael Conlan tackles Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana of Cuba: 8.45pm. All three Irish male boxers are looking to secure at least silver.
Read more:
A turning point in how we see ourselves?
‘She’s the world’s favourite Olympian. She’s bigger than Bolt’
No longer an ordinary girl just doing her job, she is a heroine and a queen for life
Green wall of noise as fans cheer champion
‘Katie’s psalm’ is a plea to God to be her shield
‘The Irish people admire her and love her to bits’
‘I just knew it was Katie’s destiny to be Olympic champion’
Katie Taylor!!! Unreal!!! That is all :)
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) August 9, 2012
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