‘It is the best feeling ever’ - Kellie Harrington clinches spot in gold medal fight with masterclass

Harrington had beaten Ferreira in the Tokyo Olympic final to win gold.

Ireland’s Kellie Harrington celebrates after being declared the winner in her 60kg Olympic semi-final against Beatriz Ferreira. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

All heart. Kellie Harrington exited the ring and took one look at her Irish team-mates and supporters celebrating ecstatically in the corner of the North Paris Arena. With tears streaming down her face, she clutched her hands together and gave thanks. They continued to shower her with praise.

How well deserved. In a rematch of the gold medal fight from Tokyo, Harrington beat Beatriz ‘The Beast’ Ferreira 4-1 on the judges’ scorecard. It was a clinical display of pure ring craft by a boxer seemingly in her element.