Kellie Harrington has become the first Irish woman to win medals in two Olympic Games after securing at least a bronze medal in the 60kg boxing in Paris on Wednesday.
Champion in Tokyo three years ago, Harrington faced Colombia's Angie Paola Valdes in the Paris Nord Arena on Wednesday evening with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
A ruthless, physical display saw the Dubliner show her class and win out on a unanimous decision, ensuring she will head home from Paris with a bronze medal at least.
Speaking to RTÉ ringside after the fight, Harrington revealed the supportive text she had gotten from her brother sharing his support ahead of the fight - and the joking follow-up from her mother calling her a "little shit."
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Kellie Harrington secures back-to-back Olympic medals
'These are the times I need to be enjoying because the boots will be getting hung up soon' - Kellie Harrington speaks to @JoeStack_Ky after reaching the Olympic semi-final #RTESport #Paris2024 #boxing
📺 Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Updates https://t.co/01ShZjM17C pic.twitter.com/sea5T5dkdo— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 31, 2024
Kellie Harrington was somewhat lost for words as she reacted immediately after her quarter-final victory on Wednesday.
She told RTÉ's Joe Stack in Paris that her brother had sent her a supportive message in the lead-in to the fight - but that her mother's message had been slightly more foul-mouthed.
I don't know yet [how the bronze medal feels], because I haven't really had time to think about it.
My brother texted me the other day and said, 'If 14-year-old Kellie Harrington had thought she'd be here now...she probably never would have believed it.'
I copied and sent the message to my mam...she said, 'No, you're right, you were a little shit back then!'
Still a little shit now but you have two Olympic medals!
The feel-good nature of Kellie Harrington in the mixed zone was one of the highlights in Tokyo, and she appears relaxed as she looks ahead to another shot at Olympic gold.
She hinted in her RTÉ interview that retirement is not far away, saying that she would savour these days while she still has them.
I felt the fight...I enjoyed it in there. These are the times I need to be enjoying because the boots will be getting hung up soon.
I'll do a couple more national championships but internationally I think...I think I'll be finished. I don't know but at 60kg definitely!
Another Olympic gold would be some way to bow out.
Kellie Harrington boxes for a place in the final on Saturday night.
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