World Champion boxer Amy Broadhurst has broken her silence on what her next move might look like after her Paris 2024 Olympic dreams were dashed last week, alluding to a potential allegiance switch from Ireland to the UK.
This comes as the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) bestowed their pick for the final Olympic qualification tournament in Bangkok in May to Grainne Walsh, over both Broadhurst and Lisa O’Rourke.
Broadhurst, who hails from Dundalk, would qualify for such a switch through her English-born father Tony, and confirmed on social media last night that she was “"exploring all options available” to her at this time.
"I was left broken-hearted and completely devastated when I was informed by the IABA that I would be assessed for selection ahead of the final Olympic qualifier in May and that my Olympic ambitions were effectively over,” she says.
"I have won World, European and Commonwealth gold medals and remain the IABA's highest rated boxer in the current world rankings but my lifelong dream has been to become an Olympian. I have split blood, sweat and tears over 22 years in the boxing ring in pursuit of that childhood goal.
"Since being informed of the IABA's decision, I have been exploring all options available to me to keep that dream alive. I will continue to do so because the Olympic flame continues to burn brightly in me and I am determined to do everything in my power to become an Olympian."
— Amy Broadhurst (@amybroadhurst12) March 28, 2024
Walsh had in fact come out the victor over Broadhurst in the Irish welterweight or 66kg division in the national final in January of last year, which is believed to have informed the IABA’s decision, although both Broadhurst and O’Rourke seem to have been under the impression that there would be a further ‘box off’ to determine the number one pick.
The duo were informed that there would be an assessment between them for the number two position at the 66kg class, with the winner to attend the upcoming European Championships in Serbia in April, although Broadhurst explained she wouldn’t entertain that possibility.
“As soon as [Tricia Heberle] said that, I got upset. I respect myself too much as a boxer to fight for the number two position,” she said last week.
Her full comments at the time are available to view here.
Though her attempts as of late were to qualify for the Olympics in the 66kg weight, it is thought that the 27 year old favours boxing at the lightweight or 60kg class.
Should she transfer her allegiance in time for the Paris Games and switch to that weight division, there is a possibility that she may meet reigning Olympic champion Kellie Harrington down the tracks.
