O’Brien moves to within touching distance of World Military Games medal
Danny O’Brien advanced to within one win of at least bronze at the World Military Games in China this afternoon.
The Dublin heavyweight convincingly beat Krenar Aliu of Finland on a unanimous decision – 30-27,30-26,30-26,30-27,29-28 – to progress in Wuhan.
The Irish Senior champion, who has recorded two wins so far in China, will meet Brazil’s Juan Nogueira for a place in the semi-finals tomorrow.
“He’s a serious warrior,” said Commandant Adrian Watson after O’Brien’s hand was raised in victory.
Earlier today, Leona Houlihan, Antoine O Griofa and Brian Kennedy bowed out of the 7th edition of the Games.
Houlihan lost her bid for at least bronze in the 75kg class.
The Dublin middleweight was beaten by Viktoryia Kebikova, with the Belarussian scoring an inside the distance win.
Galway super heavy O Gríofa dropped a unanimous decision to India’s Kumar Satish.
Kennedy was beaten by Chinese light-heavy Di Zhou this afternoon. Di won the last 16 meeting 30-27 across the board despite a top-class performance from the Offaly man.
(Image: Danny O’Brien and Irish coaching staff after today’s victory and O’Brien after today’s win)
World (CISM) Military Games Wuhan, China
October 23
Q/Final
91kg Danny O’Brien (Ireland) v Juan Nogueira (Brazil)
October 22
Q/Final
75kg Leona Houlihan (Ireland) lost to Viktoryia Kebikova (Belarus) RSC3
Last 16
81kg Brian Kennedy (Ireland) lost to Di Zhou (China) 0-5
91kg Danny O’Brien (Ireland) beat Krenar Aliu (Finland) 5-0
91kg+ Antoine O Gríofa (Ireland) lost to Kumar Satish (India) 0-5
October 21
Last 32
91kg Danny O’Brien (Ireland) beat Michel Gavaj (France) KO1
October 20
Last 16
75kg Leona Houlihan (Ireland) beat Garza Fallon (USA) W/O
Last 32
64kg Stephen Lockhart (Ireland) lost to Zang Shuang (China) 0-5
69kg Ross Hickey (Ireland) lost to Miliusha Dzmitry (Belarus) RSCI1
75kg Michael Connelly (Ireland) lost to Golembiewski Bartosz (Poland) 0-5
Irish squad
Team Manager Comdt: Adrian Watson (Roscommon)
Head coach: Sgt John Molloy (7th Batt) (Offaly)
Coach: Phil Sutcliffe
75kg: Cpl Leona Houlihan (Dublin)
64kg: Pte Stephen Lockhart (7th Dublin)
69kg: Pte, Ross Hickey (Kildare)
75kg: Lt Mike Connelly (Galway)
81kg: Tpr Brian Kennedy (Offaly)
91kg: Pte Danny O’Brien (Dublin)
91kg+: Pte Antoine O Gríofa (Galway)
