A world of fun – Desmond’s first goal is to enjoy World Championship experience
Christina Desmond is determined to enjoy her World Championship experience and claims she goes into the high profile competition pressure free.
The prestigious tournament no longer doubles up as an Olympic qualifier, but for fighters at certain weights it is a chance to claim a major international medal, bank international experience and convince selectors they should be the ones chosen for the Olympic qualifiers confirmed for Spring next year.
With EU Games bronze medal winner Grainne Walsh also vying for a 69kg spot in Tokyo it does seem a massive tournament for the talented European Championship quarter finalist.
However, the Macroom BC fighter doesn’t quite see things that way. Desmond is taking a relaxed approach to proceedings and has enjoyment as her main pre tournament goal.
“The target is just to enjoy it there is no big pressure on me,” Desmond told Irish-boxing.com.
“Obviously this is a big tournament, but rankings and stuff don’t count for the qualifiers in February and March, so I just want to gain experience from this tournament,” she adds.
Desmond came close to securing a second European Championship medal early this year, only to lose out in the quarterfinal to No. 2 seed Darima Sandakova from Russia.
The Rebel county fighter was content with how she performed in Madrid and feels maybe all she needs to improve on is aggression levels.
“Prep has gone very well, feeling very fit and sharp going into competition. Nothing has changed (since the European Championships) I am just trying to peak again and that has been hard. I was happy with my performances and just wish I had gotten the decisions. I just have to work on my aggression more.”
Desmond was handed a difficult start. Yesterday’s draw pitted her against the England’s current Commonwealth champion Sandy Ryan in the last 32 on Friday.
Desmond is in action at approximately 12.30pm (Irish time) on Friday.
World Women’s Elite Championships Ulan-Ude, Siberia, Russia
October 3
Last 32
51kg: Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Taylah Robertson (Australia)
October 4
Last 32
69kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Sandy Ryan (England)
October 5
Last 32
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Carmara Fatoumata (Mali)
October 6
Last 32
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Maya Kleinhans (Germany)
Irish squad
51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown, Antrim)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
High-Performance Director: Bernard Dunne
Head coach: Zaur Antia
Dimitry Dimitruk and Damian Kennedy.
