O'Rourke sisters heading to Serbia for world boxing championships
Aoife O'Rourke has been selected as part of Team Ireland. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
The O'Rourke sisters, Aoife and Lisa, from Castlerea Boxing Club are heading to Serbia this week as part of Team Ireland for the Women's World Boxing Championships.
Eight elite athletes from will contest these world championships, hosted by Serbia in Nis, including Paris Olympians Daina Moorehouse (50kg), Jenny Lehane (54kg), and Grainne Walsh (66kg). Also in the team are double Olympians Michaela Walsh (57kg) and four time continental champion Aoife O’Rourke (75kg). 2022 World 70kg champion, Aoife’s sister Lisa, will contest the tournament for the first time since winning World gold – she is joined by European U23 silver medalist, Carleigh Irving (48kg).
Preparations for this team have included post-Elites squad training in December, January and February, a home sparring camp with France, and an 11 day sparring camp with China in Beijing.
Head Coach Zauri Antia says “This is a highly talented, and well-prepared team – and its particularly beneficial to their preparations to have spent time training in Beijing with the Chinese first team. There was excellent sparring at that camp. I am impressed by the focus of these boxers, and by their individual development journeys. These will be a tough World Championships, where there are no easy draws. Every member of the team knows the task ahead and we are ready. It’s an honour to contest for your country, and I would like to congratulate each boxer on their selection and also their clubs, club coaches, and their families.”
The team depart for Nis on Thursday. The draw and Opening Ceremony take place on Saturday, March 8th and boxing begins on the 9th. March 15th is a rest day at the tournament, and all finals will be boxed on Sunday, March 16th.
