Women’s World Championship Draw- Smith to kick Ireland off

Katie Taylor will meet either Irma Testa of Italy or Sweden’s Agnes Alexisson in the last 32 at the AIBA World Women’s Championships and Olympic qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Testa, who has qualified for Rio 2016, and Alexisson meet tomorrow with the winner advancing to face the Olympic champion who is aiming for her sixth successive title and a place at the Rio Olympics.

Kelly Harrington, meanwhile, has been drawn against Austeja Auciute in the 64kg class. Auciute, boxing out of the Finn Valley BC in Donegal, claimed five Irish titles and has also represented Ireland. She is now boxing for her native Lithuania.

Ceire Smith gets Ireland’s campaign underway tomorrow. Smith, Taylor and Christina Desmond are competing in the three Olympics weight classes for women.

Click here for Thursday’s schedule and here for draw sheets.

AIBA World Women’s Championships Astana, Kazakhstan

May 19th (Last 64)
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Ingrit Valencia (Colombia)

May 20th (Last 32)
54kg Dervla Duffy (Ireland) v Diletta Cipallane (Italy)
57kg Moira McElliggot (Ireland) v Sati Burcu (Turkey)
64kg Kelly Harrington (Ireland) v Austeja Auciute (Lithuania)
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Khadija Mardi (Morocco)

May 21st (Last 32)
48kg Donna Barr (Ireland) v Kim Klavel (Canada)
60kg Katie Taylor (Ireland) v Irma Testa (Italy) or Agnes Alexisson (Sweden)

May 22nd (Last 16)
69kg Grainne Walsh (Ireland) v Hanna Solecka (Poland)

Irish squad

48kg Donna Barr (Twin Towns)

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan)

54kg Dervla Duffy (Mulhuddart)

57kg Moira McElligot (St Michael’s Athy)

60kg Katie Taylor (Bray)

64kg Kelly Harrington (Glasnevin)

69kg Grainne Walsh (Sparticus)

75kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)

Team manager: Anna Moore

Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, Gerry Storey, Pat McDonagh

Physio: Molly Ryan

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