Irish boxing gold medalist Harrington hailed for ‘true Olympic spirit’ as she invitations rivals onto podium throughout medal ceremony

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Eire’s newest Olympic boxing gold medalist, Kellie Harrington, has been praised for her “pure class” as she invited her shedding rivals to the highest of the rostrum after she was topped Olympic light-weight champion on Sunday.

Dublin’s Harrington grew to become simply the third Irish boxer to win gold on the Olympics when she outpointed the reigning world champion, Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira, within the early hours of Sunday morning in Tokyo.

In doing so, Harrington equals the achievement of each Katie Taylor and Michael Carruth, who’ve additionally gained Olympic gold whereas representing Eire – but when Harrington’s efforts within the ring have been suitably rewarded along with her medal, her sportsmanship exterior of it has additionally been famous.

The clearly emotional Dubliner, who raised the hand of every girl she defeated en path to Sunday’s Olympic remaining, made positive that the opposite medalists in her weight class acquired the popularity they deserved when, because the trio of rivals started to depart, Harrington invited them as much as the highest step of the rostrum the place all 4 – Harrington, Ferreira and bronze medal winners Mira Potkonen and Sudaporn Seesondee – embraced in celebration of their collective achievements.

Regardless of the battle happening at 6am native time, the streets of Dublin – and, certainly, Eire – have been filled with locals celebrating Harrington’s win.

In actual fact, when Harrington was made conscious of the raucous early-morning celebrations within the Irish capital, she remarked: “I did not even assume anybody can be up watching!“

A type of watching the nail-biting battle with vested curiosity was Conor McGregor, who tuned into the battle whereas present process rehabilitation in the US for the damaged leg he suffered in his latest UFC date with Dustin Poirier.

“God bless you, Kellie Harrington,” wrote McGregor on Twitter. “What a journey! Within the background then emerged ahead, after which [you] went and [did] completely every thing you stated you the place going to do.

“Olympic Gold medal champion! The situation you’re in is unbelievable. Actual work ethic. Congratulations, Kellie.“

McGregor’s enthusiasm was additionally matched by a number of others on social media, lots of whom have been fast to level out Harrington’s selfless act of sportsmanship on the medal ceremony.

“Effectively, isn’t that the true Olympic spirit proper there – knock absolutely the stuffing out of one another after which acknowledge and hug one another afterwards,” wrote one fan.

“Respect all the best way although,” added one other. “Talent acknowledges talent. To lose the primary spherical and are available again is phenomenal. Undoubtedly a worthy winner.”

“That’s simply pure class, dignified and respectful by all 4 boxers. Sensible,” stated a 3rd.

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