WELSH middleweight Lauren Price defeated China’s Qian Li to win the Olympic gold medal at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on Sunday (August 8).
Price was calm and in control from the beginning. Li was taller but Price patient and faster. Lauren led off with fast one-twos, to hit Li cleanly. She forced Li to come forward and Price coolly countered her. She never let Qian into the bout. Even when the Chinese middleweight rushed forward, Price just helped herself to counter-punches before moving off. Excellent boxing in the last round brought Price a unanimous decision. She now adds Olympic gold to the World championship and European gold medals she’s already won. Price has essentially completed amateur boxing.
“It just shows if you dream and you work hard enough, you can achieve anything,” Price said.
Ireland’s Kellie Harrington won Olympic lightweight gold. It will always be a hard bout with Brazil’s strong Beatriz Ferreira, who advanced with heavy shots, swinging hooks to edge their first round. But Harrington adjusted, switched stances easily and timing her punches to intercept the Brazilian as she attacked. Harrington won a unanimous decision and a place in Irish boxing history.
“I have no words. The hard work, dedication, sacrifice that has gone into this. The lonely moments, the tears, you know it’s just like… my family knows, my coaches know, the coaches here know, it hasn’t even hit yet,” Harrington said. “I’m crying as I have a sense of relief. When I get back and I’m in my room on my own, or when I get to the team, it will hit, but I don’t know, I’m just relieved.
“I’m an Olympic champion but it doesn’t define me as a person. At home, I’d say it will be a bit mental, but I will be going back to work [as a part-time cleaner at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin] in two or three weeks. I’ll be back at work, back doing my normal thing, that’s what keeps me grounded.
“I’ll get home, have a break, eat loads of pizza. I’m sure there will be a little party in work for me and I’ll be bringing my medal there.”
The men’s lightweight division was a contest at the highest level. Both Cuba’s Andy Cruz and America’s Keyshawn Davis are superbly skilled. Cruz, relaxed and moving well, circled round the outside of the ring. Davis was wary of committing himself and with quick shots Cruz pocked the first round. Davis responded, he seized the second round landing heavy right crosses. But Cruz raised his level again in the last round, upping his workrate, catching Davis with his flurries and he won a split decision to take the 63kgs Olympic gold medal.