Brendan O'Brien: A glorious, golden end for Kellie Harrington, and she did it her way

She danced and smiled and she jumped into the arms of her coaches. And then Zaur Antia climbed through the ropes to dance with her. Joyous. Fulfilling. Cathartic after the struggles she has had in recent years. And utterly deserved.

KELLIEGOLD: Kellie Harrington celebrates with her gold medal. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

History. And an end. And Kellie Harrington did it her way.

The record books will show that she retained her Olympic lightweight title with a win against Yang Wenlu, and on the back of three, sublime performances against opposition from Italy, Colombia and Brazil, but the beauty of it is more in the breaths taken outside the ropes.