O’Rourke sisters guaranteed at least bronze medals at European Boxing Championships
Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke, are guaranteed at least bronze medals at the European Boxing Elite Championships in Sofia.
Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke are guaranteed at least bronze medals at the European Boxing Elite Championships in Sofia after winning their last eight bouts in the Bulgarian capital on Tuesday evening.
Both fighters showed their fitness to outpunch and outsmart their opponents, and will now have the chance to upgrade their medals to silver later this week.
Aoife remained on course to retain her European crown in the 75kg division after a bruising encounter reigning 80kg world champion, Agata Kaczmarska from Poland.
The Castlerea boxer had the height and reach advantage over her opponent, but the Polish fighter landed some big punches to take the opening round 3-2 in the eyes of the judges.
By the end of the second round, the bout was tied, with two judges in favour of O’Rourke, two in favour of Kaczmarska, and the fifth judge having it deadlocked.
But the reigning European and world champion continued to throw the greater volume of punches against a visibly tired Kaczmarska, securing the bout on a split decision.
Younger sister Lisa followed into the ring immediately and produced a very polished display against Emily Asquith from England — a world boxing silver medallist last year.
Asquith could never get to grips with Lisa’s unrelenting energy around the ring, as the West Roscommon native won the opening round 5-0 in the eyes of the judges.
Four out of the five judges also gave the second round to the 2022 world champion. It was a case of Lisa remaining out of trouble in the final round, which she duly did to win the bout on an unanimous decision.
*Watch Aoife and Lisa's reaction to their wins below.
Aoife O'Rourke says her opponent never gave in during their epic European Elite Championship quarter final.
— Boxing Ireland (@IABABOXING) September 22, 2026
Aoife won her 5th confederation level medal with a 3-2 win over Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska, the reigning 80+kg World Champion.
Speaking to Boxing Ireland's… pic.twitter.com/fMzHhbOGKb
Team Ireland's Lisa O'Rourke says she has thrilled
— Boxing Ireland (@IABABOXING) September 22, 2026
to have medaled at the European Elite Championship.
She was the unanimous decision victor over 2025 World Boxing Championships silver medalist, England’s Emily Asquith in a completely dominant performance.
She's back in… pic.twitter.com/1woNOLrgAd
