Ireland’s Dearbhla Rooney took home bronze at the Youth Olympic Games after her victory in the bronze medal box-off against New Zealand’s Te Shelford-Edmonds.
Competing in the women’s featherweight (54-57kg) category, Rooney dominated her opponent to score a unanimous decision victory: 29-25 (3x), 29-24 and 29-26.
The Leitrim boxer, hailing from the Sean McDermott Boxing Club, landed countless clean shots against the New Zealander. Rooney showed she was a level above her counterpart as she exhibited a masterclass in boxing.
Her speed, timing and movement was too much to handle and forced her opponent, who won the Oceanic Youth silver earlier in the year, to two standing eight counts.
Interviewed by Team Ireland after her victory, the Glendale fighter spoke of her delight:
“I’m absolutely over the moon, I can’t believe it. If you told me this last year I never would have dreamt I would even be on the Youth Olympic team, let alone be taking home a bronze medal.”
- Photo: Irish-Boxing.com
Rooney had progressed to the bronze box-off after a split-decision defeat to Thailand’s Panpatchara Somnuek in the semi-finals. The European Youth silver medallist spoke of how her disappointment from the defeat inspired her to get back in the ring to claim bronze.
“I was heartbroken after losing in the semis. It’s (bronze medal) a positive reminder that I’m up there with the best in the world.”
Returning home with bronze is great reward for the hard-work Rooney has put in so far in her short career. Rooney qualified for the Youth Olympic Games after she won a silver medal at the European Youth Championships last April in Italy.
Photo: Team Ireland