Joe McConnell
Ireland’s Kellie Harrington won gold in the women’s 60kg at the Paris Olympics, but Great Britain’s Lewis Richardson was ruled out of the men’s 71kg final after losing to Mexico’s Marco Verde.
Harrington was crowned a two-time Olympic champion after beating Wenlu Yang at Roland Garros in the women’s 60kg final.
After a cautious start, Yang began landing more punches and appeared to be in control, but Harrington regained his composure and landed a flurry of body shots before the bell.
The Chinese boxer jumped into action in the second round with a powerful punch to the nose, but Harrington continued to inflict damage with some powerful body shots.
A comfortable final round saw the Irish fighter land some quick strikes, securing Ireland’s fourth gold medal of the Games.
Harrington celebrates winning gold after defeating China’s Yang Wenlu in the women’s 60kg final
Lewis Richardson had to settle for bronze after losing a split decision to Mexico’s Marco Verde in the men’s 71kg semi-final at Roland Garros
Earlier in the evening, Richardson was forced to settle for bronze after being beaten by Verde via split decision.
The Briton started well, landing a powerful punch to Verde’s face, but the Mexican managed to recover in the round by landing a series of different combinations and breaking down the British fighter’s defense.
In the second round the Colchester fighter showed his skills, landing a powerful uppercut and a couple of powerful shots to the head of Verde, winning the round.
An even contest ended in the third round, when Richardson began to use his reach more, landing a powerful blow to Green’s nose.
The Mexican hit the British fighter on the cheek, but struggled to land some powerful shots before being hit again in the face by Richardson.
However, all five judges thought differently and awarded the round to the Mexican, which marked the end of Richardson’s dream of reaching the Olympic final.
The bronze means Richardson is the only British boxer at Paris 2024 to win a medal.
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Richardson became the only Team GB boxer to win a medal at Paris 2024 after losing to Mexico’s Marco Verde in the welterweight category
He had already been guaranteed bronze after his victory over Zeyad Eashash in Saturday’s quarterfinals and was left with a bittersweet feeling after missing out on a chance to aim for gold.
She said: “It’s a very hard thing and it’s difficult to process at this time.
“I won that bronze medal, but it’s hard to fully celebrate because you’re moving on to the next one and trying to change the color of that medal.
“I’m sure I’ll make a conscious effort when the time is right – and hopefully sooner rather than later – to flip that switch and be proud of what I’ve accomplished.
“Because, rightly or wrongly, I am the only British boxer to have won a medal at these Games and I hope I have made the country proud.”
Now, later this week, Verde will face Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev for the gold.
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