Who would have thought you could outrun achievements in life? Where our thought process stops, women at Olympics bring on their actions to outdo theirs. Irish professional boxer Kellie Harrington recently created history as she secured the gold medal at the Olympics twice in two consecutive years. This GOAT success is first on many levels. It is the first time such an achievement belongs to an Irish woman. Kellie has created history not just for her country, but she is also now identified as a World Champion.
We do not accept girls: Kellie remembers being told once
Kellie was almost born with the spirit of a boxing champion. She decided to delve into practice and pursue this spirit. At the age of 15, she wanted to join a local boxing club but entry was denied. "We do not accept girls," she was told.
But her persistent spirit got her admitted at the academy, and soon enough made the authorities realise what a terrible mistake they almost committed. She started making rapid progress in the field.
Two-Time Gold Winner
Kellie is the only Irish woman to hold two gold medals to her name for two consecutive years in the arena of Boxing.
The Tokyo Olympics was the first time she felt this shiny embrace against her neck. She was one of the flagbearers for Ireland in the opening ceremony that year. She defeated Rebecca Nicoli, Imane Khalif, Sudaporn Seesondee and finally Beatriz Ferreira to add Gold to her name.
Recently, at the Paris Summer Olympics 2024, she defeated China's talent Yang Wenlu on a 4:1 split decision and took the gold home, once again.
"The next chapter is going to be my life chapter" marks Kellie's glorious exit
As Harrington stepped on the top step of the podium, emotions took over her otherwise brave spirit. She recalled how she dedicated her win at the Tokyo Olympics to "everyone in our lovely little land." But this time she firmly said, "I was doing it for me, and me alone."
Gloriously announcing her retirement from the sport, she said,
"It was 3 years of madness (since the Tokyo Olympics), so I decided I was doing it for me, and me alone. I am so happy and so proud of myself to be here. When you reach a mountain, you find another mountain, and that's what I have done. It wasn't easy. I am done now, the next chapter is going to be my life chapter. It's for me and Mandy now."
Mandy is her wife. With this life-altering decision, Kellie aspires to live her life more freely and with the love and support of her partner. She also gave us a glimpse into the madness of the life of a sportsperson. From their lives revolving around the weighing scales to constant training and accompanying injury, it's definitely challenging.
Support from family
In a conversation, Kellie's mother quoted how she never doubted her daughter for a single second. Whatever she has set her mind to, she has achieved.
Her father, overcome with emotion, quotes, "She's humble. She's human. There's only goodness in her."
Kellie's mom also gives assurance that Kellie won't change ever. That's just her charm. "She comes from a humble home, a humble community, she cannot ever change." Kellie too has often expressed her desire to go back to her duty of part-time cleaning at St. Vincent Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin, regardless of her result at the Olympics.
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