Aoife O’Rourke secures shot at World Championship gold medal

Castlerea’s Aoife O’Rourke has secured a shot at a World Championship gold medal as she overcame China’s Lina Wang.

O’Rourke was the deserving victor as her output and engine proved too much for her game opponent.

The Castlerea boxer received the nod from four out of the five judges with the judge from Argentina scoring the contest a draw.

The Irish boxer started the fight quick as she quickly found a home for her jab while an early right hand over the top was a statement of intent. However, Wang settled and managed to land some neat counter rights and lefts off the ropes.

O’Rourke’s hopes were boosted when Wang was docked a point during the opening round. After the first round O’Rourke led 10-8 on two judges scorecards while the other three had the contest 9-9.

Although Wang started the second round quick, O’Rourke managed to pin her opponent to the ropes as the Castlerea boxer began to land her right hand with greater regularity. Wang was visibly tiring with four judges scoring the round to O’Rourke.

Victory was within reach for both fighters but O’Rourke’s superior stamina told as after a bright start, an barrage of punches saw Wang receive a standing count.

O’Rourke dominated thereafter as all five judges scored the final round in her favour.

The two time Olympian will face Turkey’s Busca Isildar in tomorrow afternoon's final.