Kellie Harrington guaranteed Olympic medal following quarter-final victory

Dublin boxer Kellie Harrington is set to become a two-time Olympic medalist, following her victory over Colombia’s Angie Paola Valdes Pana in Paris this afternoon.

The defending Olympic lightweight champion was declared the winner of the women's 60kg quarter-final by unanimous decision, guaranteeing her at least a bronze medal.

The win makes the 34-year-old the first ever Irish woman to secure medals at two different Olympic Games.

"Nicely done Kellie Harrington!" the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, posted online in response. "Olympic bronze at least in the bag. Guaranteed back to back Olympic medalist.

"Cool, calm, controlled," he added. "Everyone is proud, behind you and looking forward to what’s next."

A special screening of the fight was held in Dublin's north inner-city today, to cheer on the local boxer.

In her semi-final, Harrington is set to face the winner of tonight's fight between Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira (who she beat in the final at Tokyo in 2021) and the Netherlands' Chelsey Heijnen.

| BOXING

Kellie takes the WIN! She now moves into the semi-finals and guarantees herself at least a bronze medal at Paris 2024!!!

LFG Kellie #TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8U1KyEOPvR

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 31, 2024