Aoife O’Rourke celebrated her 26th birthdaytaking European Games Champion gold!
Castlerea star O’Rourke scored a unanimous victory over Davina Myrha Michel of France to claim middleweight gold in Poland.
“I’m absolutely delighted, I’m just over the moon, I can’t believe it” declared O’Rourke. “Coming out here the plan was to qualify, to end up with the gold medal is icing on the cake”.
“No one mentioned by birthday all day and the minute my hand was raised they were all singing away” laughed O’Rourke. “I think they had a bit of a plan in place! It’s a very special birthday for sure and I’m just absolutely delighted.’
The Tokyo Olympian, also booked a ticket to Paris 2024. Unquestionably, the judges scoring the final, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27.
And of course we had to sing Happy Birthday 💚@IABABOXING pic.twitter.com/vyGP8br9iF
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 2, 2023
“It was a different style than what people would have seen me boxing all week” explained O’Rourke. Whereas, the Roscommon woman was on the front foot throughout against the 2022 World bronze medallist.
“But it’s great to see that I can mix it up and I can go in with a girl like that and actually box. I’m delighted to get the result and against her today.”
“You have to have confidence in yourself if you don’t you can’t expect other people to” declared O’Rourke. “You have the training done. The hard work is put in so why wouldn’t you be confident and the coaches got the tactics spot on so thanks to them.”
Standing on the podium
“I think hearing the national anthem is a great motivator for me anyway” explained O’Rourke after receiving her medal.
“Once you get a taste of what it’s like to be at the top of the podium it’s something that you want to get back up and hear your national anthem being played.
“It’s a great honour to be representing Ireland. I’m delighted to have come away with a gold medal and done the country proud.”
