Christina Desmond happy with history ahead of ‘nightmare’ month

Christina Desmond made history at the recent World University Championships in Thailand.

The Cork middleweight became the first Irish boxer to medal at the prestigious tournament when she won her quarter final in Chiang Mai to guarantee bronze.

The Fr Horgan’s youngster claimed silverware in style too, comprehensively defeating Kazakhstan’s Zura Kussainova in the aforementioned last eight clash.

Desmond told to Irish-Boxing.com that “at the time of the fight. the making history part didn’t even come into my head. I was just relieved to have won and went onto think about my next fight.”

“But now I am happy the go down as a history maker and it’s really good to have that title as well as the medal.”

While history or thoughts of uncharted territory didn’t enter her head, the Leesider admits that she was uncharacteristically nervy before her opening bout, and described how “I was so so nervous for my first fight, more then normal actually.”

“I knew it was good nerves though, so I was just excited to get it going and get into the ring!”

Desmod’s Thai adventure ended in the semi finals against Poland’s Natalia Hollinska, where she fell to a majority-decision defeat (37-37, 37-38, 37-38). Frustratingly, a final minute points deduction for holding swung the bout in her Eastern European opponent’s favour.

Reflecting on the loss, the Rebelette described how “I suppose it’s all part and parcel of boxing but it was very annoying after the fight as I didn’t think I deserved it [the points deduction].”

“I didn’t fight as well against Poland so I was also frustrated with the performance.. but that’s the way it goes. It just shows one simple slip up can cost you.”

For Desmond, there is no time to rest on her laurels, and the LIT student will be in major tournament action again next month in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the European Championships. Here the LIT student will be looking to add to her growing medal haul, which includes EU Youth bronze and World Youth silver (which she also won Bulgaria) alongside this month’s maiden senior medal.

A hectic schedule no doubt, Desmond joked how there is “no break, unfortunately, but I’m excited. I’ve been back training since we flew home.”

“The next month is so busy between college work and training and I hope it just passes quickly as it will be a nightmare!”