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WATCH: Celebrations in Dublin as Kellie Harrington takes Olympic gold

Dublin's Portland Row has been celebrating this morning after Kellie Harrington took gold in Toky...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.53 8 Aug 2021


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WATCH: Celebrations in Dublin...

WATCH: Celebrations in Dublin as Kellie Harrington takes Olympic gold

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

08.53 8 Aug 2021


Share this article


Dublin's Portland Row has been celebrating this morning after Kellie Harrington took gold in Tokyo.

The Dubliner won the women's lightweight boxing final against Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira.

Kellie won the fight by unanimous judges' decision.

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The judges gave the first round to the Brazilian boxer, 3-2.

Kellie Harrington's parents, Christy and Yvonne, celebrate with friends and family outside their home on Portland Row in Dublin. Kellie Harrington's parents, Christy and Yvonne, celebrate with friends and family outside their home on Portland Row in Dublin. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

However, Kellie managed to win the backing of all five judges in round two - and stayed calm to secure the win in the final round.

She has made history by becoming only the third Irish boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.

Speaking after the fight, Harrington says: "Relieved, totally relieved. I'm just glad that it's over.

"To have the support of a nation backing you is just, it's actually hard to believe, I actually feel the nation has been behind me.

"Regardless of whatever happened out there today - whether I got a silver or a gold - I knew, and I know, that I have made them proud."

Kellie Harrington celebrates with her gold medal, after defeating Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil in their women's lightweight final bout at the Kokugikan Arena during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan Kellie Harrington celebrates with her gold medal, after defeating Beatriz Ferreira of Brazil in their women's lightweight final bout at the Kokugikan Arena during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Picture by: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Harrington says she was nervous, but in control.

"You are nervous for every single fight, it doesnโ€™t matter what fight it is.

"But nerves are great, they make you feel alive - they give you energy, they keep you on edge.

"As long as I can control them and not let them eat me up then I'm fine.

"I'm not afraid of failure, I'm not afraid of losing. So I suppose once you're not afraid of that, then anything is possible."

Residents on Portland Row in the north inner-city, where Kellie is from, gathered to watch the fight on a big screen.

Local councillor Anthony Flynn was there and says the celebrations are continuing.

"From Portland Row to Tokyo this morning - the inner-city actually done Kellie proud in terms of what happened here this morning.

"But more importantly Kellie's done not only the inner-city of Dublin proud, but she's done the whole of Ireland proud.

"It's absolutely fantastic this morning to see that she's taking a gold home.

"The atmosphere in the inner-city this morning is absolutely electric, and the comments that are coming in right across the country in support of Kellie are absolutely unbelievable.

"She's a role model for everybody in this area, particularly in my constituency, particularly young females that are boxing."

He says there's been a massive turnout with "young and old out to see Kellie on that big screen at Portland Row this morning.

"It's still going on there at the moment, and I'd say the celebrations are going to continue late on into the day".

He says plans are still being worked out for her homecoming.

Tributes have also been flooding in for the 31-year-old.

Main image: Locals gather to watch Irish Olympic boxer Kellie Harrington's fight on a big screen on Portland Row in Dublin. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

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