Desmond defeats Team GB’s Commonwealth champ to progress in the Worlds
Christina Desmond overcame a point deduction to scalp Team GB in the World Elite Women’s Championships today.
Desmond improved Ireland to 2 and 0 [following Ceire Smith’s opening day win] with an impressive win in Ulan-Ude, Siberia this afternoon.
The Cork welter beat England’s Commonwealth champion Sandy Ryan on a 4-1 split decision to book her ticket into the last 16.
The Rebel southpaw, whose backhand repeatedly stung the Derby orthodox, won the first round on the unofficial cards, and Ryan, benefiting from a surprise public warning for slapping, claimed the second.
However, Desmond, a former European and World Universities bronze medallist, put the foot on the gas in the final 30 seconds of a close bout to seal victory and join Ceire Smith in the last 16.
The Macroom fighter will now meet Canada’s Myrian Da Silva knowing a win will leave her one victory away from a medal, that clash will play out next Wednesday.
The Quebec-native and Pan American finalist is the No. 5 seed in the welter class in Ulan-Ude.
Meanwhile, Belfast feather Michaela Walsh, the No. 5 seed in Ulan-Ude, meets Carmara Fatoumata of Mali for a place in the last 16 tomorrow.
Dundalk’s Amy Broadhurst meets Germany’s Maya Kleinhans on Sunday.
Speaking to Irish-boxing.com before the tournament Desmond said: “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.”
World Women’s Elite Championships Ulan-Ude, Siberia, Russia
October 4
Last 32
69kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) beat Sandy Ryan (England) 4-1
October 5
Last 32
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Carmara Fatoumata (Mali)
October 6
Last 32
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Maya Kleinhans (Germany)
October 8
Last 16
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Mi Choi Pang (North Korea)
October 9
Last 16
69kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Myriam Da Silva (Canada)
RESULTS
October 4
Last 32
69kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) beat Sandy Ryan (England) 4-1
October 3
Last 32
51kg: Ceire Smith (Ireland) beat Taylah Robertson (Australia) 5-0
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
