Katie Taylor claims fifth successive World gold
KATIE TAYLOR maintained her iron grip on the AIBA World Elite title in South Korea today.
The Wicklow orthodox finished on top of the lightweight podium for the 5th time in-a-row since New Delhi 2006 after beating Azerbaijan’s Yana Allekseeva on a unanimous decision (40-36,39-37,39-37) in Jeju.
The wins sees the Bray woman match the record of India’s Mary Kom, who claimed five successive AIBA World Elite titles between 2002 and 2010.
Taylor found the target with two solid combinations to take the opening frame on two of the judges’ cards against the Azeri southpaw and a brace of right hooks helped her win the second round 10-9 across the board.
The judges split 2-1 in favour of Taylor in the third, leaving Allekseeva, who boxed as Yana Sydor for the Ukraine up to 2012, needing a knockout in the fourth and final stanza to claim victory.
But with Taylor up on her toes and responding to anything that Allekseeva threw at her with rapid responses off both hands that was never going to happen.
Taylor was presented with her gold medal in Jeju this morning. She has now won 17th major titles – one Olympic, five World, six European and five European Union – since 2005.
“We are absolutely delighted and this is a very proud moment for us. Katie was magnificent here today,” said Irish team manager Anna Moore.
Today’s win ensures that Ireland will finish in a top ten position in the medals table at the 67-nation tournament.
The Irish squad are due to arrive home from South Korea via Dublin airport on Tuesday afternoon.
Pete Taylor, Zuar Antia and Gerry Storey were working Ireland’s corner at the 8th edition of the AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships.
AIBA World Women’s Elite Championships Jeju, Korea November 16/24
November 17th (last 32)
57kg Joanne Lambe (Ireland) lost to Qiong Lu (China) 0-3
69kg Claire Grace (Ireland) beat Cristina Stanca (Romania) 3-0
November 18th (last 32)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) beat Sarah Joy Rae (Jamaica) 3-0
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Kezial Valerian Spicer (Dominica) 3-0
November 19th (last 16)
69kg Claire Grace (Ireland) lost to Guluzar Kara (Turkey) W/O
(Grace withdraws because of injury sustained in the last 32))
November 20th (last 16)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) lost to Anna Alimardanova (Azerbaijan) 0-2
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Mira Potkonen (Finland) 3-0
November 21st (Q/Finals)
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Sofya Ochigava (Russia) W/O
November 23rd
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Junhua Yin (China) TKO4
60kg Yana Allekseeva (Azerbaijan) beat Estelle Mossely (France) 2-1
November 24th
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) beat Yana Allekseeva (Azerbaijan) 3-0
(Irish squad)
54kg Michaela Walsh (Holy Family)
57kg Joanna Lambe (Carrickmacross)
60kg Katie Taylor (Bray) (Gold)
69kg Claire Grace (Callan)
Team manager Anna Moore
Coaches Pete Taylor, Zuare Antia, Gerry Storey
